Taunton Man Arraigned for Alleged Connection in Fatal Drunk Driving Crash

TAUNTON (WBSM) — An arraignment will be held today for a Taunton man connected to a fatal drunk driving crash that happened on Route 44 in Taunton.

The charges stem from a March 10 crash at 380 Winthrop Street. At approximately 9:15 p.m., Taunton Police were called to the scene of a two-car crash involving a black Mercedes and a Honda CRV.

Police said the Mercedes was unoccupied, but a 46-year-old vehicle passenger was located nearby. The passenger told officers that the driver, Ricky Jorge Ponte, 29, left the area after the crash.

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Ponte was later found at a nearby gas station after police received a call from an employee at the Irving Gas Station on Route 44.

First responders extricated the driver of the Honda CRV – identified as Margaret McGowan, 67, of Fall River – from the vehicle.

The 16-year-old passenger and McGowan were transported to the hospital.

On March 28, McGowan succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash and died at the hospital. The 16-year-old suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.

Ponte is being charged with negligent motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of a crash death-resulting, under the influence-resulting in serious bodily injury, and leaving the scene of a crash with personal injury.