State Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Route 195 in Swansea

On Sunday, March 22, 2009, at approximately 9:05 p.m., Troopers assigned to the State Police Barracks in Dartmouth responded to a two-vehicle crash on Route 195 West prior to Route 136 (exit 2) in Swansea that resulted in one fatality.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Adam Crook indicates that 21-year-old Joseph Vasconcelos of Wareham was operating a 2005 Lincoln LS sedan in the left lane of Route 195 West in Swansea when he lost control of his vehicle and veered to the right. The Lincoln entered the right travel lane, where it collided with the front driver's side of a 1999 Mercedes-Benz ML 430 SUV, operated by 58-year-old Cathy Brelsford of Stratford, C.T. After the collision, the Lincoln continued out of control, exited the road to the right and came to rest in the woods. The operator of the Mercedes was able to maintain control after the collision and came to a controlled stop in the breakdown lane. Vasconcelos sustained serious injuries in the crash and was declared deceased at the scene. Cathy Brelsford and the front seat passenger of the Mercedes, 61-year-old Richard Brelsford of Stratford, C.T., were both wearing their safety belts and were uninjured in the crash.

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

Due to the crash investigation and vehicle removal, the right travel lane of Route 195 West was closed for approximately one hour.

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