State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Route 195 in Dartmouth

Today, Wednesday September 24, 2008, at approximately 5:15 a.m., Troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Dartmouth responded to a single-vehicle crash on Route 195 West between exit 12 (Faunce Corner Road) and exit 13 (Route 140) in Dartmouth that resulted in one fatality.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Brian Pacheco indicates that 22-year-old Giancarlo Garcia of New Bedford was operating a 1998 Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck in the right travel lane of Route 195 West when the vehicle drifted to the left, struck the median guardrail and rolled over before coming to rest in the right travel lane of Route 195 East. Garcia, who was not wearing a safety belt, was ejected from the vehicle and landed in the left travel lane of Route 195 East. Garcia was subsequently struck by three separate vehicles and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

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 Troopers assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office. The Dartmouth Police and Fire Departments and MassHighway assisted troopers at the scene.

Due to the investigation and vehicle removal, all lanes of Route 195 East were closed for approximately 1 hour.

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