Rhode Island man sentenced in Fall River on charges involving head-on Freetown crash that caused life-threatening injures

FREETOWN, MA – A 27-year-old man was sentenced Thursday in Fall River Superior Court following a comprehensive investigation into a serious motor vehicle crash that occurred on April 20, 2024, on South Main Street in Assonet.

According to Lieutenant Benjamin Levesque of the Freetown Police Department, at just before 5:45 p.m. on the day of the crash, the Freetown Communications Center received multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting a two-car collision near the Stop & Shop Distribution Center. Upon arrival, emergency responders discovered two vehicles with heavy damage from a head-on impact.

Anthony Flores of Providence, the operator of a 2015 Acura TLX sedan, was trapped inside his vehicle and required extrication using the ‘jaws of life.’ Both drivers were transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford by Freetown Fire-Rescue.

The operator of the other vehicle, a 1972 Plymouth Roadrunner driven by a 68-year-old male, suffered life-threatening injuries, including multiple fractures and internal trauma. As of last year, he continued to face a long road to recovery.

Police alleged that Flores’ vehicle crossed over the center line at a high rate of speed and struck the Plymouth Roadrunner head-on.

As a result of the investigation, Flores was indicted by a grand jury and subsequently arraigned on the charges of Operating Under the Influence Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon.

According to court records, Flores pled guilty Thursday and was sentenced to not less than 2 1/2 years to not more than 4 years.