2 Vehicle Crash Killed 2 Family Members; Driver Booked on DUI Charges
A late-night crash on Christmas killed 2 and left others 2 with life-threatening injuries. The deceased persons are from one family. Records state that they are grandfather and grandson.
A New York City man drove his vehicle on wrong way on a Somerset bridge while intoxicated. The car then slammed the three persons, of whom 2 died on the scene.
The man is in jail on $100,000 cash bail. The accident killed 2 Seekonk residents identified as Floriano Arruda, 73, and his 15-year-old grandson Jacoby Arruda.
The alleged driver, Adam Gauthier, 41, of New York City, made his court appearance within 24 hours of the accident. He was discharged on Tuesday morning from the St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford.
The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office reports that Donna Arruda, 68, Floriano’s wife and Jacoby’s grandma, is still in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital.
Not too long after the 11 p.m. crash, authorities detained Gauthier, who they claim is a former resident of Somerset.
Adam Gauthier faces the following charges:
- Two counts of manslaughter while operating under the influence.
- Two counts of motor vehicle homicide-OUI Liquor.
- Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle.
- Driving the Wrong Way on a State Highway.
- One count each of OUI-Liquor with Serious Bodily Injury.
At around 11:10 p.m., according to preliminary investigation results, Gauthier was traveling east on the westbound side of Veterans Memorial Bridge in Somerset, which is a section of Route 6.
“This is a terrible tragedy, especially when it occurred on Christmas night. My heart grieves for the victims and their family for their terrible loss.”
District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said in a press release.
According to Quinn’s office, Gauthier struck a 2014 Infiniti QX50 SUV driven by Arruda head-on while crossing the bridge.
The collision resulted in front-end damage to a 2019 Honda Accord, which was the third vehicle. According to the office, the Accord’s driver and passenger, two young adult ladies from Taunton, only had minor wounds.
All three Arrudas were hurried to nearby hospitals by emergency personnel.
Shortly after arriving at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River late on Monday night, Jacoby was declared deceased. At Rhode Island Hospital, Floriano’s wife Donna is listed in critical condition with significant injuries, and Floriano was declared deceased on Tuesday morning.
Gauthier is receiving treatment at St. Luke’s Hospital for injuries that are not thought to be life-threatening. His upcoming court date is January 9 for a preliminary pretrial hearing in Fall River District Court.
