Driver in head-on crash faces multiple charges

A March 4 head-on crash that sent two drivers to the hospital has since led to the arrest of a New Bedford man on drug and reckless driving charges.

Westport Police received several emergency line calls at about 3:20 p.m. that Wednesday afternoon for a crash on Hixbridge Road near the Masonic Temple. The driver of one vehicle was Rui Pires, 29, of Cedar Street in New Bedford and the driver of the second vehicle was Karen Pacheco, 51, of Main Road in Westport. Both were transported to area hospitals by Fire Department ambulances.

Witnesses told police that Mr. Pires had been driving on Hixbridge Road at a high rate of speed, at one point passing another car. Immediately after crossing the bridge he failed to make a turn in the road and struck another car head-on. His car was in the wrong lane when the collision took place.

Both cars had heavy front-end damage. Investigators found a small amount of marijuana in Mr. Pires' vehicle.

He is being charged with having a suspended driver's license, reckless operation of a vehicle, improper passing and possession of marijuana. Officer Mario Dacunha is investigating the accident.

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