State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Route 18 North in New Bedford

Today at approximately 1:57 AM, Troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Dartmouth responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash on Route 18 North in New Bedford that resulted in one fatality.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Shawn Harris indicates that a 2000 Honda Civic being operated by 37 year-old Gloria Vieira of New Bedford was traveling south in the northbound lanes of Route 18 in New Bedford, north of Elm Street and prior to the Route 195 ramp. The Honda collided head-on with a 2005 Ford pickup truck traveling north and being operated by 24 year-old Lori Negalha of Acushnet. Vieira sustained fatal injuries and was declared deceased at the scene. Negalha sustained minor injuries and was transported to Saint Luke's Hospital.

This crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section and the State Police Detective Unit assigned to Bristol County. The New Bedford Police and Fire Departments, New Bedford EMS and MassHighway assisted Troopers at the scene.

Due to the investigation all lanes of Route 18 North were closed for approximately three hours.

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

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