Dartmouth man held on bail in pedestrian crash that killed New Bedford woman; fundraiser for victim’s family created

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn, III announced that 34-year-old Andrew Johansen of Dartmouth was arraigned Friday afternoon in the New Bedford District Court for a Motor Vehicle Homicide by OUI and Negligence related to striking two female pedestrians at the intersection of Route 18 North and Coggeshall Street at approximately 8:30 Friday morning in New Bedford. He has also been charged with Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle and Marked Lanes Violation.

Both victims were transported for treatment at a local hospital.  70-year-old, Mary Ptaszenski of New Bedford suffered life threatening injuries and was pronounced deceased at the local hospital. The second female victim suffered minor injuries. 

The court imposed bail in the amount of $5,000 along with a GPS monitoring device and a curfew if the bail is posted. The defendant is also to remain alcohol free. 

According to a GoFundMe fundraiser, Ptaszenski was walking to get breakfast with a friend at the time she was struck.

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for 3/6/26 in the New Bedford District Court.