New York Man Charged in Somerset Double Fatality Crash

SOMERSET (WBSM) — A New York man who is a former Somerset resident has been arrested in connection with a Christmas night motor vehicle crash on the Somerset side of the Veterans Memorial Bridge that killed two people.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Adam Gauthier, 41, was arrested shortly after the 11 p.m. crash on December 25. He was later ordered held on $100,000 cash bail on December 26.

Gauthier is currently 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.

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Preliminary investigation by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Dartmouth barracks revealed Gauthier was allegedly driving a Range Rover in the wrong direction on Route 6 while crossing the bridge, heading east in the westbound lane. He then allegedly struck an Infiniti SUV head on.

Driving the Infiniti was Floriano Arruda, 73, of Seekonk. His wife Donna Arruda, 68, was in the front passenger seat, and his 15-year-old grandson Jacoby Arruda, also of Seekonk, was in the rear of the vehicle.

The D.A.’s Office said all three 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.

The D.A.’s Office said a third vehicle also sustained front end damage during the incident, and that the driver and front seat passenger sustained minor injuries and were treated at Charlton.

Gauthier was arrested and transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, where he is currently being treated for injuries that are not life-threatening.

He was ordered held on $100,000 cash bail during his arraignment from his hospital bed this afternoon.

“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 Quinn said.

The investigation remains ongoing and no further information will be released at this time, the D.A.’s Office said.