Third Victim in Somerset Drunk Driving Christmas Crash Dies

The third victim in a Christmas night drunk driving crash in Somerset has died as a result of her injuries.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office announced that Donna Arruda, 68, of Seekonk died this afternoon at Rhode Island Hospital from injuries sustained in the Christmas night crash on the Somerset side of the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

The crash also killed her husband, Floriano Arruda, 73, and their grandson Jacoby Arruda, 15.

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The suspect in the crash – former Somerset resident Adam Gauthier, 41, now of New York City – will face new charges of manslaughter while operating under the influence and motor vehicle homicide-OUI liquor.

These charges are in addition to the charges he was already facing: 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.

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 that was driven by Floriano Arruda. Donna Arruda was in the front passenger seat, and Jacoby Arruda was riding in the rear of the vehicle.

Jacoby Arruda was pronounced deceased Christmas night at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, and Floriano Arruda was pronounced deceased on the morning of December 26 at Rhode Island Hospital.

A third vehicle also sustained front end damage during the incident, and the driver and front seat passenger of that vehicle each sustained minor injuries.

Gauthier was arrested and transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, where he was treated for injuries that are not life-threatening. He was later arraigned from his hospital bed and ordered held on $100,000 cash bail.