Fall River man crashes after leading Westport Police on chase

A Fall River man was injured Sunday in Westport after crashing and allegedly speeding.

According to Westport Detective Jeff Majewski, on September 2 at approximately 8:25 p.m., the Westport Police attempted to stop a 2002 Ford Ranger which was headed west in the 800 area of State Road. Initially the officer observed the vehicle travelling 65MPH in a posted 50 MPH zone. The officer activated his cruiser blue lights and siren as the vehicle began to slow its’ speed as if to stop for the officer. Seconds later the truck accelerated to a speed of approximately 80MPH in a posted 40MPH through the Davis Road intersection as the driver swerved from the right lane into the left west bound travel lane.

The truck continued on State Road until it swerved abruptly onto the on ramp to Route 88 North. The driver attempted to negotiate the turn at a high rate of speed which caused him to miss the paved ramp altogether. The driver now travelled on the grass shoulder behind the guardrail. The vehicle continued in the grass for about 75 feet until the grass ended and the shoulder became a steep ditch when the truck struck the back of the guard rail and rolled over.

The driver was identified as Stephen Britto, 41, of Dover Street in Fall River. He sustained injuries during the rollover crash and was taken by the Westport Fire Department Ambulance to RI Hospital.

According to Scanner transmissions, Westport Fire requested the JAWS of life to extract Britto.

Britto was charged with speeding, negligent operation of a vehicle, swerving between lanes, as well as operating with a revoked driver’s license (subsequent offense), having a revoked registration, and operating an uninsured vehicle. He will be summons to Fall River District Court on those criminal charges.

Big Wheels Towing was called to remove the vehicle. The on ramp was closed for two hours during the removal of the vehicle.

Officer Doug Wenson investigated the incident.