Dartmouth hit and run suspect arrested

State and local police today arrested a 58-year-old California man, who had recently been residing in Westport, in connection with the fatal hit-and-run incident on Route 6 in Dartmouth that claimed the life of 33-year-old Westport resident Stasha Lynn Faria on Saturday.

After an extensive investigation into the incident, police were able to locate and apprehend Natalie Vieira, formerly of Riverside, California, earlier this afternoon. The defendant’s legal name is indeed Natalie Vieira.  However, the defendant is transgender and identifies as male.  He calls himself “Nate” or “Marcos.”​

Mr. Vieira will be arraigned this afternoon in New Bedford District Court on charges of Leaving the Scene of Personal Injury and Death, Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Driving an Unregistered Motor Vehicle.

Police responded to the area of 653 State Road in Dartmouth early Saturday evening in regards to reports of a pedestrian being struck by a motorist, who then fled the scene. When police arrived, they located the victim, who was already deceased. The victim was walking eastbound along the side of the roadway when she was struck from behind and killed.

An exhaustive investigation involving Massachusetts State Police Troopers assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Dartmouth Police and Westport Police was conducted, resulting in this afternoon’s arrest.

Because the defendant has yet to be arraigned in open court, no further information regarding the facts of the case can be released at this time.