Bristol County DA identifies 23-year-old killed in highway crash; remembered as full of life

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn, III has announced that a motorist has died who exited her vehicle when it became disabled on Route 18 on Friday.

 Massachusetts State Police were dispatched to Route 18 North in New Bedford at approximately 9:15 p.m. for a serious motor vehicle crash.  

First Responders arrived on Route 18 North, north of the Hillman Street on ramp in the City of New Bedford.  Snow was partially in the left lane leading up to the scene of the crash. 

The initial investigation has revealed that 23-year-old Ruby Quiro Santos of New Bedford was operating a 2020 Toyota Camry when her car became disabled in the left lane on Route 18 North.  A second vehicle, a 2018 Audi A4, with multiple occupants arrived on scene to assist Santos. Two New Bedford Police Ford Explorers, fully marked with lights engaged, also arrived on scene.  As Santos and a second female were walking to the Audi, a 2018 Honda Accord that was operating on Route 18 North, struck the two females outside of the vehicle along with the Audi and one of the marked police vehicles. 

All parties involved in the crash were transported to a local hospital for treatment.  Santos was pronounced deceased on Saturday.  The second female outside of the vehicle is in critical but stable condition. All other parties either suffered minor injuries or are expected to recover from any injuries sustained. 

Those who knew Santos described her as full of life and adventurous, someone who would try anything

The investigation of the crash is being coordinated by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office along with the Massachusetts State Police.

No other information was released.