Rochester crash victims identified
Police have identified the three Middleborough men seriously injured in an evening car crash on Tuesday as Joshua DeMoranville, 20, Samuel Pike, 19, and Antone Arruda, 18.
Pike was transported by helicopter to Mass General Hospital for treatment. Arruda and DeMoranville were taken by ambulance to Rhode Island Hospital. Rochester Police Chief Robert Magee said Arruda has been released from the hospital and is in good condition. The condition of the other two victims is unknown.
According to police, no charges or citations have been issued following the accident that left a 2003 Acura “completely destroyed.” Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash that occurred on Neck Road near a causeway.
Police believe the vehicle’s speed was a major factor in the accident. Also, it appears none of the occupants wore seatbelts.
A Rochester police officer on patrol saw a car speeding south on Neck Road at 5:55 p.m. The car’s driver passed the police cruiser then attempted to navigate a curve in the road. Police said the vehicle left the road, became airborne and crashed into a telephone pole.
The accident ejected Pike and DeMoranville from the car.
“It was a violent high speed crash. The vehicle involved was completely destroyed,” said Magee.
At the time of the accident, police received conflicting reports that a fourth person was thrown from the vehicle and was missing. A K-9 unit from the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, a Search and Rescue Team and the State Police Airwing were dispatched to the area.
The search turned up no evidence. Later, Rochester police determined that there were only three people involved in the crash.
Following the accident, Neck Road was closed for six hours while Rochester Police Sergeant William Chamberlain, Officer Kevin Flynn, and the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section investigated the crash. Power was out in the area as NStar crews waited for the vehicle to be removed.
Rochester Fire, Rochester EMS, Freetown EMS, Marion EMS and the Rochester Highway Department also responded.