70-Year-Old Woman Killed in New Bedford Crash, Driver Charged

UPDATE: The victim who was killed has been identified as Mary Ptaszenski, 70, of New Bedford. Andrew Johansen was arraigned this afternoon in New Bedford District Court and bail was set at $5,000 along with a GPS monitoring device and a curfew if bail is posted. He must also remain alcohol-free. His next hearing is scheduled for March 6.

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A 70-year-old woman was killed and a Dartmouth man is being charged after two women were struck by a vehicle in New Bedford’s Near North End this morning.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said that the fatal crash happened at around 8:30 a.m. at the intersection of Route 18 North and Coggeshall Street, where the two women were struck by the suspect’s vehicle.

He has been identified as Andrew Johansen, 34. He is charged with motor vehicle homicide by OUI and negligence.

One Woman Killed, One Injured in New Bedford OUI Crash

Both victims were transported from the scene to a local hospital; one woman had life-threatening injuries. She later was pronounced deceased. Her identity has not been released. The second victim was treated for minor injuries.

Dartmouth Man to Be Arraigned in Fatal New Bedford Crash

Johansen is expected to be arraigned this afternoon in New Bedford District Court.

The investigation remains ongoing by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office and New Bedford Police.

Fifth Pedestrian Death in the Area This Year

The woman is the fifth person struck and killed by a vehicle in the area since the start of the year. A 16-year-old from Dartmouth has been charged in the hit-and-run death of Nicolasa Ventura Colaj, 33, in New Bedford in the early moments of New Year’s Day.

READ MORE: Dartmouth Teen Charged in Fatal New Bedford Hit-and-Run

Robert Randall, 67, was struck and killed by a vehicle as he was walking in the area of Route 6 and Pleasant Street in New Bedford on the evening of January 2.

Lee Marie Hagerty, 55, of Bridgewater was struck and killed on the afternoon of January 27 as she was walking down a road.

On January 30, Ruby Quiro Santos, 23 of New Bedford was struck by a vehicle after exiting her disabled vehicle on Route 18. She passed away from her injuries the next day.

READ MORE: Young Woman Dies After Being Struck on Route 18 in New Bedford

On the night of February 1, a 57-year-old woman was struck and killed by a motor vehicle as she was walking on the Cranberry Highway in Wareham.

READ MORE: Woman Killed, Man Hurt in Wareham Pedestrian Crash