PROVIDENCE — The police yesterday identified the man who was found dead in a police station cell as Carmine Porreca, 36, of 18 Home Ave., North Providence.

Porreca was involved in a traffic accident at about 6:30 a.m. Friday, when his car struck a utility pole at River Avenue and Valley Street. Police officers at the scene said they discovered that Porreca had been driving on a suspended license.

An accident report said Porreca was driving a 1994 Jeep when he attempted to pass another vehicle and his Jeep struck the pole.

Porreca was arrested, taken into custody and placed in a cell by himself in the cellblock at the police station. At about 8:30 a.m.Saturday, when the police went to his cell to fingerprint him, he was found lying on his side. Emergency medical technicians pronounced him dead shortly before 9.

The medical examiner’s office took possession of Porreca’s body and the police are awaiting the results of an autopsy. Given the circumstances, the medical examiner has promised to expedite his investigation, but it is not known when a finding of the cause and manner of death will be available, said Inspector Francisco Colon, commander of the police internal affairs bureau.

Colon said two possibilities come to mind: Porreca died of natural causes or from an undiscovered injury suffered in his accident. Police Chief Dean M. Esserman said over the weekend that Porreca had a medical history, but he declined to elaborate.

A preliminary review by the medical examiner found no signs of force or trauma. Before a finding can be made, the medical examiner must have the results of a toxicology test.

Procedure calls for a suspect to be processed as soon as possible, including fingerprinting to confirm his identity before being brought into court or before a bail commissioner for arraignment or a bail hearing. Colon said it is not uncommon for someone to be held for 24 hours on a driving charge.

The cells are monitored by civilian attendants or officers around-the-clock, either in person or by surveillance cameras.

While the results of the autopsy are awaited, Colon said a police investigation is being conducted. He declined to say what that entails.