Name and details released in fatal accident in Fall River Saturday

A 94-year-old Fall River man died yesterday afternoon when the vehicle he was exiting rolled down a driveway on top of him.

The victim has been identified as Robert E. Forcier.

According to Gregg Miliote of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Fall River Police were called to 127 Newhall Street around 1:30 pm on Saturday in response to a 911 call stating that an elderly man had been struck and killed by a rolling motor vehicle in his own driveway. The preliminary investigation has revealed that the 65-year-old female driver of the Chevrolet Equinox had driven the victim and the victim’s wife to visit with family in the area. Upon returning back to Newhall Street, the victim attempted to quickly exit the vehicle despite his need for assistance and the use of a cane. The driver of the vehicle rushed to get out of the car to help the victim exit the car and apparently never fully engaged the gear shift into the parked position.

Both the victim and the female driver were knocked to the ground by the opened front doors to the vehicle as it began to roll down the driveway. The victim was run over by the right front tire while lying on the ground. The driver had her right hand run over by the left front tire.

Both were rushed to St. Anne’s Hospital, where Forcier was pronounced dead and the female driver was treated for severe injuries to her hand and arm.

The incident appears to be an accidental death, but remains under active investigation by Massachusetts State Police Troopers assigned to this office and Fall River Police.