Alleged Drunken Driver Causes Fatal Wrong-Way Crash on Somerset Bridge

SOMERSET, Mass. — A tragic incident occurred on Christmas night when an alleged drunken driver caused a wrong-way crash on a Massachusetts bridge, resulting in the death of a grandfather and his grandson. The accused driver is facing multiple criminal charges related to the incident.

Adam M. Gauthier, a 41-year-old resident of New York City and formerly of Somerset, is charged with motor vehicle homicide while under the influence, manslaughter, OUI-liquor while causing serious bodily injury, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and wrong-way operation on a state highway, according to Bristol District Attorney Thomas Quinn.

The Massachusetts State Police investigators reported that the incident took place on the westbound side of the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Somerset (Route 6) shortly after 11 p.m. Gauthier was driving a 2023 Land Rover SUV with a New York registration, traveling eastbound in the westbound lane. He collided head-on with a 2014 Infiniti QX50 SUV and a 2019 Honda Accord Sedan.

Unfortunately, the collision resulted in the tragic loss of Floriano Arruda, a 73-year-old resident of Seekonk, who was driving the Infiniti, and his 15-year-old grandson, Jacoby Arruda, who was seated in the backseat. Floriano was pronounced dead at Rhode Island Hospital, while Jacoby succumbed to his injuries at Charlton Memorial Hospital.

Donna Arruda, Floriano’s 68-year-old wife who was sitting in the front seat of the Infiniti, sustained severe injuries and is currently in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital.

Two young women from Taunton, the driver and passenger of the Honda, were also injured in the crash. They were transported to Charlton Memorial Hospital, where they received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

The Massachusetts State Police closed both westbound lanes of the bridge for approximately four hours to conduct an investigation into the accident.

Following the crash, Gauthier was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He was later moved to Saint Luke’s Hospital, where he was arraigned from his hospital bed on Tuesday afternoon. A judge ordered him to be held on $100,000 cash bail.

Gauthier is scheduled to appear in Fall River District Court for an initial pre-trial hearing on January 9, 2024.

Expressing his condolences, District Attorney Thomas Quinn said, “This is a terrible tragedy, especially when it occurred on Christmas night. My heart grieves for the victims and their families for their terrible loss.”

Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including State Police-Dartmouth Barracks, State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, State Police Crime Scene Services Section, State Police Detective Unit for Bristol County, Fall River, and Somerset Fire Departments.

As this is an ongoing investigation, no further information is currently available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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