Mocobizscene- Adam Gauthier, a 41-year-old resident of New York City who was arrested in relation to a tragic motor vehicle accident on the Somerset side of the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge on late Christmas night, is set to be arraigned on Tuesday in Fall River District Court. This arraignment is for the two latest charges that have been filed in connection with the death of Donna Arruda on December 29th.
Gregg Miliote from the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office has stated that following Arruda’s passing, additional charges have been brought forth. These charges include Manslaughter while Operating Under the Influence and Motor Vehicle Homicide-OUI Liquor.
Gauthier, who is facing multiple charges including Manslaughter while Operating Under the Influence, Motor Vehicle Homicide-OUI Liquor, OUI-Liquor with Serious Bodily Injury, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Driving the Wrong Way on a State Highway, is currently held on $100,000 cash bail. He was arraigned from his hospital bed on December 26.
Gauthier, who used to live in Somerset, was taken into custody shortly after the crash that occurred on Christmas night at 11:00 p.m.
After his arrest, he was taken to Saint Luke’s Hospital for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening. He has since been released and is now being held at the Dartmouth House of Corrections. Assistant District Attorney Catherine Sauter is handling the prosecution of the case.
The Dartmouth Barracks of the Massachusetts State Police received an urgent call on Christmas night at 11 pm reporting a collision on the bridge caused by a driver going in the wrong direction.
According to the initial investigation, Gauthier drove a Range Rover in the wrong direction on Route 6 while crossing the bridge. The collision occurred when his vehicle collided head-on with an Infiniti SUV.
Floriano Arruda, a 73-year-old resident of Seekonk, was driving the Infiniti. Accompanying him in the front passenger seat was his wife, Donna Arruda, aged 68, also from Seekonk. In the rear of the vehicle was their 15-year-old grandson, Jacoby Arruda, who is also from Seekonk.
The Arruda family faced a tragic turn of events when all three members were admitted to different hospitals. Jacoby Arruda tragically passed away on Christmas night at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River. Floriano Arruda, another family member, was pronounced deceased on the morning of December 26th at Rhode Island Hospital. Lastly, Donna Arruda lost her battle and passed away at Rhode Island Hospital on December 29th.
A third vehicle, in addition to the two vehicles involved in the crash, also suffered damage to its front end. The driver and front seat passenger of the third vehicle sustained minor injuries and received treatment at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River.
The crash investigation is currently underway and is now the focus of a criminal prosecution. No additional details can be shared at this time. Homicide Unit prosecutors will carry out the investigation, the State Police Detective Unit assigned to DA Quinn’s office, State Police-Dartmouth Barracks, and State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section.
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