Dartmouth Man Sentenced for 2011 Fatal Crash

A Dartmouth man has been sentenced to 15-18 years in state prison in connection with a vehicular homicide in August of 2011.

Patrick Coelho was accused of striking and killing 51 year old Michael Powers of Fairhaven while Powers was driving a motorcycle on Hawthorne St. In Dartmouth.

Prosecutors say Coelho was drunk at the time of the accident and witnesses observed him driving recklessly and at high rate of speeds before the accident. 

According to the District Attorney's Office, the 38 year old Coelho pled guilty to charges of vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an injury-death resulting and operating under the influence, 4th offense. 

Judge Gary Nickerson imposed the sentence as well as placing him on probation for two years on his release from jail.