By SANDY McGEE

BURRILLVILLE — An East Providence man escaped with minor injuries after his vehicle struck a tree, traveled down an embankment and landed upside down in a low area of the Nipmuc River early Thursday morning.

Joshua R. Matarese, 26, of 15 Mary Ave., was traveling east on Brook Road in Burrillville on Thursday when he apparently lost control of his vehicle shortly before 5:30 a.m., said Lt. Kevin San Antonio of the Burrillville Police Department.
Matarese's vehicle, a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am, apparently struck a tree on the west side of Brook Road, traveled down the river's embankment and landed upside down in a low level of the river, police said.
"The car was completely upside down in the riverbed," said Assistant Fire Chief Michael Gingell of the Harrisville Fire District.
Harrisville Rescue transported Matarese to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. A spokesperson for Rhode Island Hospital said on Friday that Matarese was treated and released from the hospital.
Matarese was able to get out of his car before police and rescue units arrived, San Antonio said. The lieutenant said the river is not deep at the area where the car was located. 
The Grand Am, which was towed from the scene, sustained significant damage to its front end, passenger side and roof.
Police said fluids from the vehicle leaked into the river. The Department of Environmental Management was called to the scene. The town's Department of Public Works also responded on Thursday.