Freetown Crash: Providence Man Gets Prison for OUI That Badly Injured Driver

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — A Providence, Rhode Island man will serve up to four years in Massachusetts State Prison after pleading guilty to operating under the influence in a 2024 crash that left the victim with significant injuries.

According to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III, Anthony Flores, 27, pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court on September 25 to operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Flores was sentenced to serve two and a half to four years in state prison, followed by two years of probation.

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Crash Details and Police Response

Freetown Police responded to a head-on vehicle crash on South Main Street at about 5:30 p.m. on April 20, 2024. Flores had been driving a Nissan Acura on South Main Street heading south, while the victim, a 68-year-old man, was traveling north on South Main Street in a Plymouth Road Runner.

Victim’s Injuries and Vehicle Impact

Flores crossed over the center lane and collided head-on with the victim’s car, causing the man significant injuries including damage to internal organs, a broken wrist, broken foot and broken leg.

Quinn said the posted speed limit was 35 miles per hour, and that the data recorder from Flores’ vehicle indicated he was going 59 mph at the time of the impact. Surveillance video also captured the crash.

Flores was unresponsive at the scene and had to be extricated by the Jaws of Life before he was taken for medical treatment. Police located his phone and determined he had been texting at the time of the crash.

Tests showed Flores’ blood alcohol level was more than double the legal limit.

District Attorney Quinn’s Statement

"The defendant was operating his girlfriend's vehicle in a reckless manner while intoxicated and caused serious injuries to the victim who was just driving on the street in broad daylight,” D.A. Quinn said. “I’m pleased that the defendant accepted responsibility for his actions and apologized to the victim and his family.”