Crime
Fall River teen facing several charges after crash on Route 24 results in life-threatening injuries
Portsmouth, RI — On Sunday a Fall River teen was arrested for driving to endanger resulting in serious bodily injury and two counts of driving to endanger resulting in physical injury following a serious motor vehicle crash on Route 24 North near Cedar Island.
According to Portsmouth Police, On Saturday, at approximately 9:45 p.m., the Portsmouth Police Department responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash involving multiple occupants trapped inside the vehicle. Upon arrival, officers observed a grey Massachusetts-registered Toyota Camry overturned on its roof in a wooded area adjacent to the roadway. A large construction traffic message board had been struck and was resting against the vehicle as a result of the crash. The vehicle sustained extensive damage, and all airbags had deployed. Four occupants were involved, including the operator, Montanez Verdejo, and three juvenile passengers.
Officers made contact with two juvenile occupants who had exited the vehicle prior to police arrival and then located Montanez Verdejo conscious but trapped inside the overturned vehicle, along with an unresponsive juvenile passenger who was also trapped. Officers detected a strong odor of freshly burnt marijuana emanating from inside the vehicle and during the investigation multiple alcoholic beverage containers were located. Portsmouth Fire Department personnel arrived on scene and extricated both trapped occupants.
The unresponsive juvenile passenger sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported by rescue to Hasbro Children’s Hospital and remains hospitalized as of Tuesday morning. Montanez Verdejo was transported by rescue to Rhode Island Hospital for his injuries and remains hospitalized at this time. The two other juvenile occupants were transported by rescue to Newport Hospital for treatment and have since been released.
The Portsmouth Police Department Detective Division and Accident Reconstruction Team responded and processed the scene. As a result of the investigation, Michael A. Montanez Verdejo was charged.
In addition to the criminal charges, Montanez Verdejo was issued R.I. Traffic Tribunal citations for Driving with a Suspended License (1st Offense), Presence of Alcoholic Beverage While Operating a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Marijuana (17–20 years old), Laned Roadway Violations, and Reasonable and Prudent Speed violations.
Montanez Verdejo was arraigned by a justice of the peace and released after posting bail that had been set at $5,000.00 with surety. Montanez Verdejo will be formally arraigned at the 2nd Division District Court on December 18, 2025.
This incident remains under investigation by the Portsmouth Police Department Detective Division and Accident Reconstruction Team.
