Westport Police rescue Dartmouth/Fall River man from fiery crash; later charge him

A local man rescued by police early this morning is facing several charges after a fiery crash that caused property damage.

According to Sgt. Robert Robello, just after 2:30 a.m., Westport Police were dispatched to the area of 66 State Road, White’s of Westport, for a reported motor vehicle crash. The caller stated a vehicle had struck a fire hydrant at that location and was currently on fire.

Officers arrived on scene and observed the roadway to be actively flooding and flames were coming from the vehicle’s engine compartment. The operator, later identified as Tucker Rose of Dartmouth, was trapped in the vehicle. Officers were able to temporarily put the engine fire out while simultaneously removing Rose from the vehicle. Once they had moved Rose to a safe location, the fire in the engine compartment reignited as Westport Fire Department personnel arrived on scene. Fire personnel were able to extinguish the fire.

The City of Fall River – Water Department responded to assist with the roadway flooding due to the ruptured hydrant. Massachusetts Department of Transportation was also called to the scene to assist with traffic and to clean the roadway of gravel and dirt, which had been washed onto the roadway by the tremendous amount of water coming from the hydrant. Traffic had to be diverted for some time while crews worked to remedy the situation.

Officers spoke with Rose and noted he had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage on his breath. As he spoke, his speech was slurred, and he had glassy and bloodshot eyes, according to police. Looking towards Fall River, he pointed and stated he had almost made it home and lived right over there. He also had blood and vomit on his sweatshirt. Subsequently, Rose was placed under arrest and, due to the severity of the crash, transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford for nonlife-threatening injuries.

Westport Police submitted an application to charge Rose with Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Marked Lanes, and Speeding.

The Westport Police are asking the public if they witnessed the crash or observed the vehicle traveling on State Road prior to the crash to please contact the station at (508) 636-1122.