Case of Somerset mother seriously injured after allegedly being body-slammed by Rhode Island man in road rage incident moved to Fall River Superior Court

ATTLEBORO — The case of Gladior Kwesiah, a 26-year-old Pawtucket man accused of body-slamming a woman head-first into the pavement during a January 3rd road rage incident in South Attleboro, has been transferred to Fall River Superior Court.

According to The Sun Chronicle, the Bristol County District Attorney’s office notified Attleboro District Court of the transfer on Thursday, after two pretrial hearings were postponed. Kwesiah was arraigned April 7 in Fall River Superior Court, with a pretrial conference set for May 19.

More serious cases are usually moved to Superior Court.

Incident caught on video

The incident occurred at Routes 1A and 123. The alleged victim, Hailea Soares, a 31-year-old Somerset mother of two, suffered a broken foot, broken knee, and severe head and eye socket injuries.

Soares was unable to work or fully care for her children, ages 1 and 8. A GoFundMe campaign raised nearly $38,000 for her, though donations are currently paused.

According to Boston.com, multiple witnesses told police that Kwesiah and Soares were arguing outside their cars after her vehicle allegedly rear-ended his vehicle. All three witnesses alleged that Kwesiah “body slammed” her onto the pavement. One witness said that Soares “smacked” Kwesiah before he picked her up, lifted her over his head, and dropped her on her head. 

Kwesiah faces charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (pavement) causing serious injury, malicious destruction of property (both felonies), and driving without a license. He was released after posting $2,500 bail.