Adam Gauthier, driver charged with killing Seekonk teen and grandparents, faces new charges
FALL RIVER - Adam Gauthier, the driver accused of killing a Seekonk teen and his grandparents in a crash Christmas night, is now facing new charges.
The Bristol County District Attorney's Office said Gauthier, 41, was drunk when he drove the wrong way on Route 6 in Somerset slamming head-on into an SUV around 11 p.m. on December 25.
Floriano Arruda, 73, of Seekonk, was driving the SUV, with his wife, Donna Arruda, 68, in the passenger seat and his 15-year-old grandson, Jacoby Arruda, in the back seat. They were all rushed to hospitals. Jacoby Arruda died that night at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River. Floriano Arruda died at Rhode Island Hospital on December 26, and his wife passed away from her injuries on December 29.
Gauthier, who lives in New York City but used to live in Somerset, was also hurt in the crash. He was arraigned from his hospital bed on December 26 on several charges, including two counts of manslaughter while operating under the influence and two counts of motor vehicle homicide - OUI liquor. He was ordered held on $100,000 bail.
Following Donna Arruda's death, the district attorney's office said Sunday that Gauthier will now face another charge of manslaughter while operating under the influence and a third charge of motor vehicle homicide - OUI liquor.
Gauthier has been held at the Dartmouth House of Corrections since he was released from the hospital. He will be arraigned Tuesday in Fall River District Court.
