Former Fall River resident, 23-year-old mother of three, killed in Boston crash

A young Bristol County mother of three was killed in a weekend crash.

According to Dave Procopio of the Massachusetts State Police, at just after 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, Massachusetts State Police responded to a crash in South Boston involving a minivan and flatbed tow truck that resulted in the death of the minivan’s operator.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica was westbound on South Boston Bypass Road, just east of Frontage Road. For reasons still under investigation, the Chrysler crossed over the double solid yellow lines and struck a tow truck that was eastbound on South Boston Bypass Road. The tow truck was transporting a vehicle on its bed at the time of the crash.

The operator of the Chrysler, a 23-year-old woman, sustained severe injuries and was extricated from her vehicle by responding Troopers. She was transported by Boston EMS to Boston Medical Center, where she was pronounced deceased.

Family members say the victim in the crash was Kayla Bertoncini of New Bedford and formerly of Fall River. She leaves behind a 4-year-old, 3-year-old, and a 4-month-old in addition to a long-time boyfriend.

“Kayla was a kind soul and a light in anyone’s life,” reads a GoFundMe created for the family. “Tyler now has to raise their three children without Kayla by his side. Kayla’s three children were her whole life and she was truly an amazing mother.”

The operator of the tow truck, a 65-year-old Rowley man, sustained minor injuries and was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for evaluation.

The facts and circumstances of the crash remain under investigation by the State Police-Tunnels Barracks, State Police Detective Unit for Suffolk County, State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, and State Police Crime Scene Services Section.