New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
“A 29-year-old Taunton man will be arraigned this morning in Taunton District Court in relation to a fatal crash, which occurred on March 10 on Route 44 in Taunton, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III.
Ricky Jorge Ponte is being charged with Negligent Motor Vehicle Homicide while Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol, Leaving the Scene of a Crash-Death Resulting, Operating Under the Influence-Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Personal Injury.
Facebook photo.
The charges stem from a March 10 crash in the area of 380 Winthrop Street (Route 44). On that date, at approximately 9:15 pm, Taunton Police were called to the scene of a two car crash. Vehicle one was identified as a black Mercedes and vehicle two was identified as a Honda CRV. The Mercedes was found to be unoccupied, but a 46-year-old passenger in the Mercedes was located nearby. The passenger advised officers that the defendant had been driving the Mercedes, but he had left the area after the crash.
A short time later, Taunton Police received a call from an employee at the Irving Gas Station on Route 44 in Taunton. The employee told police that a man has just entered the gas station bleeding. The man was later identified as the defendant.
When first responders approached the Honda CRV, they found the driver, Margaret McGowan, 67, of Fall River, trapped inside the car. Her passenger, a 16-year-old female relative, was sitting outside the car in a state of shock. McGowan was eventually extricated from the vehicle, at which time she and the 16-year-old were transported to area hospitals. On March 28, McGowan succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash and died at the hospital. The 16-year-old was seriously injured, but her injuries were not life-threatening.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Charlie Schofield.”-Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III.
Facebook photo.
