Taunton man sentenced to prison in Fall River Superior Court concerning fatal pedestrian crash that killed 59-year-old woman

A Bristol County man has been sentenced in Fall River Superior Court on several charges in relation to a fatal motor vehicle incident which occurred on the afternoon of August 3rd, 2021.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, at 4:30 p.m., Taunton Police responded to the area near the intersection of Main and Cedar streets after receiving 911 calls pertaining to an erratic driver striking a pedestrian with a Chevrolet SUV.

Responding officers located a Taunton woman who was suffering from serious injuries. The victim, 59-year-old Lisa Rocha, was transported by ambulance to Morton Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.

Investigators determined the driver of the SUV, Roland Escobar of Taunton, initially fled the scene of the crash by continuing to drive a short distance further before striking a vehicle on Summer Street.

The defendant was transported to Good Samaritan Medical Hospital in Brockton for treatment of minor injuries. Once medically cleared, he was immediately taken into custody.

Escobar was charged with Manslaughter, Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon-Motor Vehicle, Operating While Under the Influence of Drugs-Felony Homicide, Operating While Under the Influence of Drugs-Death Resulting, Operating While Under the Influence of Drugs-Second Offense, Leaving the Scene-Death Resulting and Leaving the Scene of Property Damage.

According to court records, on Wednesday, Escobar pled guilty to Manslaughter While OUI, Leaving the Scene of Personal Injury or Death, Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, and Leaving the Scene of Property Damage. He was sentenced to not less than 9 years to not more than 12 years in state prison with credit for 1598 days served.