Crime
Trial concerning fatal Swansea crash on I-195 involving popular DJ continues to be pushed back as defendant incompetent to stand trial
A case concerning a local fatal highway crash continues to see a trial date pushed back.
According to Greg Miliote of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, a Bristol County Grand Jury in late September of 2018 voted to indict a then 39-year-old Bristol, RI woman in connection with a May 2018 car crash on Route 195 in Swansea that claimed the life of popular local DJ 38-year-old John Souza aka Johnie Armani, of Cranston, RI.
Sarah Bergenholtz was indicted on charges of motor vehicle homicide, motor vehicle manslaughter and operating under the influence of alcohol-subsequent offense.
At approximately 2:00 a.m. on May 10th, Massachusetts State Police were notified of a collision on Route 195 Westbound at Exit 3 in Swansea. Vehicle #1 was identified as a blue Volkswagen Toureg being driven by Sarah Bergenholtz. Vehicle #2 was identified as a green Jeep Liberty and was being operated by John Souza. Both drivers were alone in their cars at the time of the crash.
When police arrived on scene, they found Bergenholtz’s vehicle had come to rest just off the soft shoulder in the median west of the exit 3 off ramp. Her vehicle showed heavy front end and driver’s side front damage. Souza’s vehicle came to rest on its roof in the breakdown lane and was fully engulfed in fire. Souza was declared deceased at the scene, while Bergenholtz was rushed to an area hospital for treatment of injuries she suffered in the crash.
Collision analysis indicates Souza’s Jeep was traveling west in the westbound lane, when it was struck by Bergenholtz’s Volkswagen, which was travelling in the wrong direction.
In February of 2019, Bergenholtz was issued $1,500 cash bail.
Bergenholtz suffered extensive injuries and continues to be ruled incompetent to stand trial. The court continues to hold competency hearings every few months leaving no confirmed trial date.
The case was initially being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mattthew Friedel and has since been replaced by Patrick Driscoll.
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?
August 13, 2024 at 4:59 pm
This will be swept under the rug. They are never gonna charge her/ family is well connected.
John
August 13, 2024 at 7:16 pm
I don’t think most people are even is aware of this first time I’m reading it now. I have no idea who’s who anyways you gotta get the word out. It starts traveling through social media. Maybe something will happen.
John Demello
August 14, 2024 at 9:51 am
This sounds like a lot of BS. If she was competent enough to drive a car, she’s competent to stand trial. Enough with the rich & connected getting special treatment. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW. Prosecute.
Shannon
August 14, 2024 at 11:19 am
Yes, all of that is true, but due to the accident she caused,she now has extensive brain injuries that have incapacitated her. She’s “mentally handicapped” now and can’t grasp the concept of it. It’s unfortunate that she cannot be tried and go to jail, but trust me…justice found her. She will never be the same or live how she lived before.