State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Route 195 in Seekonk

Saturday, January 10, 2009, at approximately 2:45 a.m., Troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Dartmouth responded to a two-vehicle crash on Route 195 East in Seekonk in the vicinity of the weigh station that resulted in one fatality and minor injuries to the other people.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Neal Cadorette indicates that 25-year-old Roger West of Little Compton, Rhode Island was traveling on Route 195 East when his 2007 Dodge Charger struck a 1996 Toyota from behind. The Toyota, which was not moving at the time, was being operated by 27-year-old Carrie Geraci of West Warwick, Rhode Island.

Ms. Geraci was seriously injured in the crash and declared deceased at the scene. West suffered minor injuries and was transported to Charlton Memorial Hospital, where he was treated and released into State Police custody. As a result of evidence collected during the ongoing State Police investigation, West was arrested and charged with motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence of alcohol, and operating to endanger.
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Two passengers in Dodge, 24-year-old Lee Pacheco of Fall River and 20-year-old Cortney Pereira of Fall River, suffered minor injuries and were transported to Rhode Island Hospital.

This crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section. The Bristol County State Police Detective Unit, The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, The Seekonk Fire Department, Seekonk Police Department and the Swansea Police Department assisted troopers at the scene.

Due to the crash investigation and vehicle removal, Route 195 was partially closed for 2 hours.

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