Police looking for public’s help in search for Route 95 fatal hit and run driver

Armed with new information, investigators are once again seeking the public’s assistance in locating a vehicle believed to be involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash that took place on Route 95 in Attleboro on September 16.

Massachusetts State Police responded to multiple 911 calls around 9:40 pm regarding a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle on Route 95 near Exit 1 in Attleboro. When first responders arrived on scene, they located the victim, 50-year-old John Gauthier, in one of the travel lanes of the highway. The victim, who was homeless, was pronounced deceased while in an ambulance just prior to 10 p.m.

After conducting numerous witness interviews and investigating the incident further, police believe that a woman who was driving a large white SUV struck the victim while the victim was attempting to cross the highway. The driver of the SUV is believed to have stopped on the left side of the highway, briefly exited her vehicle and then drove off. The driver was described as being about five feet, four inches tall and weighs approximately 160 pounds. The vehicle may have exited Route 95 into Pawtucket, RI around 10 pm on September 16.

Today, investigators developed new information and believe the large white SUV is either a white Chevy Suburban or a white Cadillac Escalade ESV (extended version), with damage to the passenger side headlight.

If anyone was in the area of the incident, has knowledge about this case or has seen a damaged white SUV, they are urged to contact State Police Detectives assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office at 508-993-2016.