Fall River woman dies after Sunday morning pedestrian crash, driver cited for potential charges

A Fall River woman has died after being hit by a vehicle Sunday morning.

According to Gregg Miliote of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, an 81-year-old Fall River woman who was injured as a result of being struck by a motor vehicle while she was crossing Bedford Street Sunday morning, has died, and the driver of the vehicle has been cited for potential criminal charges.

Fall River Police responded to the area of Bedford and Davis Streets around 9:23 a.m. Sunday in regards to calls regarding a pedestrian being struck by a motor vehicle.

The victim, Dolores McHenry, was transported to Rhode Island Hospital. Later in the day, police received notice from the hospital that the victim had died. The Rhode Island Medical Examiner accepted jurisdiction and will conduct an autopsy in the coming days.

The male driver of the 2005 Ford Freestyle SUV whose vehicle struck the victim stayed on scene and was interviewed by police. The 19-year-old Westport resident was cited by Fall River Police for Motor Vehicle Homicide Due to Negligent Operation, Failure to Yield to a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk and Failure to Remain Hands Free While Utilizing a Cell Phone While Operating a Vehicle.

The driver will be granted a Clerk’s Magistrate Hearing in the near future, according to Miliote,at which time the Clerk of Courts at Fall River District Court will determine whether probable cause exists to officially lodge criminal charges.

The investigation into this incident remains active and ongoing at this time.