SouthCoast Family Honors Mother With Song After Route 18 Tragedy

There are some stories that are just hard to process – and this is one of them.

A SouthCoast family is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 70-year-old Mary Ptaszenski, who was struck and killed on the morning of February 6, 2026, at the intersection of Coggeshall Street and Route 18 in New Bedford.

According to reports, Andrew Johansen has been charged with OUI homicide after allegedly operating under the influence at the time of the crash.

READ MORE: Woman Killed in New Bedford Crash, Driver Charged

In the middle of unimaginable grief, however, Mary’s family is finding a way to cope through music.

Mary’s son, 47-year-old Chris Ptaszenski, poured his emotions into a tribute song called “Route 18,” named after the road where the tragedy happened.

A Song Born From Sleepless Nights

Chris said the song came together during some of his toughest nights.

“I was up til 3, 4, 5 a.m. and decided to put some notes together,” he said. “I kept reworking the words through many versions. I always wanted to write.”

What started as a personal outlet quickly turned into something more.

“I didn’t intend to post it to a mass audience, my brother shared it," Chris said. "Next thing I know, it's getting thousands of views.”

He describes himself as someone who simply loves music; not a trained musician, but someone who listens constantly, whether he’s at the gym, in the car, or working. Writing became a way to cope with the sleepless nights that followed his mother’s passing.

“She Was the Glue That Held Us Together”

Chris’s brother Craig said the song has been deeply emotional for the entire family.

“The song is truly beautiful, and it has moved me to tears,” Craig said. “My brother Chris has a remarkable talent, and I believe he should continue to pursue it.”

Craig described their mother as the heart of the family.

“She was the glue that held us together. She taught us to always put family first,” he said. “The loss still feels unreal.”

A Family Searching for Justice

While the music has helped them process their grief, the family said they are also seeking justice.

“The person who took her life is walking free,” Craig said. “The laws regarding bail for driving under the influence need to be changed.”

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The family hopes that by sharing Mary’s story, and Chris’s music, they can bring awareness and push for change, so no other family has to endure the same pain.

In the meantime, Chris continues to write, using music as a way to navigate loss and reflect on life’s fragility.

As he puts it in another song inspired by this tragedy, "Meaning of Life," you never truly know what tomorrow will bring.