25-year-old Taunton woman sentenced in Fall River Superior Court concerning fatal crash that killed 28-year-old Matthew Higgins

A 25-year-old Taunton woman pled guilty Friday in Fall River Superior Court concerning a fatal crash on Route 44.

According to police, on December 7th, 2022, rescuers responded just after 2:15 a.m. to the intersection of Route 44 and Paramount Drive between Walmart and the Courtyard by Marriott Boston Raynham.

Upon arrival, police officers and firefighters found that a Ram pickup truck had left the roadway and crashed into a traffic light pole.

Five people were trapped inside the pickup truck. Firefighters, including mutual aid from the Taunton and Lakeville Fire Departments, performed a delicate extrication process over several minutes using hydraulic rescue and cutting tools.

28-year-old Matthew Higgins of Middleboro was pronounced dead at the scene. Two additional men and two women were rescued from the crash and transported by ambulance to various hospitals, all with serious injuries.

Rebekah Nikol Kierstead was arraigned on charges related to the crash on April 12th of 2024 in Fall River Superior Court.

According to The Taunton Gazette, Kierstead pled guilty to vehicular homicide as result of negligence while under the influence of alcohol and was sentenced to serve two years in the Dartmouth House of Correction. She also pled guilty to driving while intoxicated resulting in serious injury and received a sentence of seven years probation.

Those who knew the victim, Higgins, described him as one of the kindest, friendly, and funny people you could meet. He was also known to be a cornhole enthusiast.