New York Man arrested in connection to Christmas double motor vehicle fatality in Somerset

“A 41-year-old New York resident has been arrested on charges related to a late Christmas night motor vehicle double-fatality on the Somerset side of the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge.

Adam Gauthier, formerly of Somerset, was arrested shortly after the 11 pm crash and is currently being charged with two counts of Manslaughter while Operating Under the Influence, two counts of Motor Vehicle Homicide-OUI Liquor, and one count each of OUI-Liquor with Serious Bodily Injury, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Driving the Wrong Way on a State Highway.

Massachusetts State Police of the Dartmouth Barracks received an emergency call at 11 pm last night regarding a collision on the bridge involving a wrong way operator.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that the defendant was driving a Range Rover eastbound in the westbound lane on Route 6 while crossing the bridge. While on the bridge, the defendant’s vehicle struck an Infiniti SUV head on.

The Infiniti was being operated by Floriano Arruda, 73, of Seekonk. Mr. Arruda’s wife, Donna Arruda, 68, also of Seekonk was in the front passenger seat and his 15-year-old grandson, Jacoby Arruda, also of Seekonk, was in the rear of the vehicle.

All three of the Arrudas were rushed to area hospitals. Jacoby Arruda was pronounced deceased last night at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, and Floriano Arruda was pronounced deceased this morning at Rhode Island Hospital. Donna Arruda is currently in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital.

Beyond the two initial vehicles involved in the crash was a third vehicle that also sustained front end damage during the incident. The driver and front seat passenger of the third vehicle sustained minor injuries and were treated at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River.

After being arrested in connection to this incident, the defendant was transported to Saint Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford where he is currently being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. He will be arraigned on the charges previously noted in this press release from his hospital bed this afternoon.

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time and is now the subject of a criminal prosecution. No further information can be disseminated.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Catherine Sauter.”