Dartmouth resident charged in fatal hit and run crash that killed Nicolasa Ventura Colaj

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn, III has announced that a Dartmouth resident has been charged with Negligent Motor Vehicle Homicide and Leaving the Scene Death Resulting  relating to the New Year’s Eve crash that took the life of 33-year-old Nicolasa Ventura Colaj of New Bedford as she was exiting a church gathering with her family at 1805 Acushnet Avenue just after midnight. 

The 16-year-old juvenile is expected to be arraigned in the New Bedford juvenile court on Monday, 1/5/26.

An initial investigation has revealed that the decedent and her family were exiting a church gathering at 1805 Acushnet Avenue.  As Colaj crossed the roadway, she was struck by an SUV and thrown a distance.  The SUV fled the area.  New Bedford Police and EMS responded. 

Colaj was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival. 

Later, the vehicle involved was located by New Bedford Police.

According to a GoFundMe fundraiser, “Nicolasa leaves behind a husband, A daughter of 4 years and two sons one of 15 and one of 11. She was a loving mother a God-fearing woman. When she entered a room, she made everyone feel happy. She lightened up the mood always. Nicolasa was always smiling and she was generous. She was an exemplary and virtuous woman.”

  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 New Bedford Police Department.