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October 09, 2009 - For immediate release:

Woman Dies As Result of Injuries Suffered in Sept. 27 Crash

State Police Charge Dartmouth Man with Motor Vehicle Homicide

A New Bedford woman has died as a result of injuries sustained in a Sept. 27, 2009 motor vehicle crash on the Purchase Street ramp leading from Route 18 southbound. As a result of her death, Massachusetts State Police charged the Dartmouth man who allegedly caused the crash with motor vehicle homicide.

Hazel Giusti, 86, died Wednesday at Rhode Island Hospital as a result of injuries she suffered when the car she was driving was struck from behind by a vehicle operated by PEDRO FURTADO, 27.

State Police have added a motor vehicle homicide charge to the other charges that FURTADO was previously facing: negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, and a marked lanes violation.

Evidence collected by State Police suggests that FURTADO was driving a 2005 Volkswagon Phaeton at a high rate of speed in the left lane when he attempted to move into the right lane and struck the 1997 Subaru Legacy driven by Giusti, causing her to lose control of her vehicle. The Volkswagon then struck a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica driven by 26-year-old Brie Ryan of Dartmouth, sending the Chrysler into the guardrail on the left side of the road. After striking the Chrysler, the Volkswagon struck a retaining wall on the right side of the road and knocked down a light pole. Immediately after the crash, Giusti was transported to Rhode Island Hospital by emergency personnel. Neither FURTADO nor Ryan were injured in the crash.

Due to the crash investigation the right travel lane was closed for approximately one hour.

No further information is available at this time. Please do not call the barracks directly.