Westport Couple Killed, Dartmouth Man Charged in Fatal Crash

DARTMOUTH (WBSM) — A Westport couple was killed Sunday morning when two vehicles collided on Old Westport Road in Dartmouth, and the driver of the other vehicle is now facing charges.

According to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III, Dartmouth Police were dispatched to the area of 422 Old Westport Road at about 10:30 a.m. on May 25.

Police arrived to find two vehicles at the scene. One was a gray Toyota RAV4 operated by Philip Morris, 63, of Dartmouth. The other was a green Toyota Echo operated by Jeffrey Moniz, 76, of Westport, with his wife, Diane Moniz, 76, as a passenger.

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The D.A.’s Office said the investigation revealed that Morris’s vehicle allegedly crossed the double yellow line and struck the Moniz’ vehicle head on. The husband and wife were found with traumatic injuries and transported to a local hospital, where they were both pronounced deceased.

Morris had minor injuries.

The D.A.’s Office said Morris has been charged with two counts of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation and a marked lanes violation, and will be summonsed to court on those charges.

The investigation by the Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the D.A.’s Office along with Dartmouth Police remains ongoing.