A Bristol County Grand Jury on Friday voted to indict a 39-year-old Bristol woman in connection with a May 2018 car crash on Route 195 in Swansea that claimed the life of 38-year-old John Souza, of Cranston, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Sarah Bergenholtz was indicted on charges of motor vehicle homicide, motor vehicle manslaughter and operating under the influence of alcohol-subsequent offense. The defendant has been hospitalized since the May 10 crash, and due to her continued hospitalization, a Superior Court arraignment date has yet to be scheduled.

At approximately 2:05 a.m. on May 10, Massachusetts State Police were notified of a collision on Route 195 Westbound at Exit 3 in Swansea. The first vehicle was identified as a blue Volkswagen Taureg driven by Ms. Bergenholtz. The second vehicle was identified as a green Jeep Liberty being operated by Mr. Souza.

Both drivers were alone in their cars at the time of the crash. When police arrived on scene, they found Ms. Bergenholtz’s vehicle had come to rest just off the soft shoulder in the median west of the exit 3 off-ramp. Her vehicle showed heavy front end and driver's side front damage. The victim’s vehicle came to rest on its roof in the breakdown lane and was fully engulfed in fire.  Mr. Souza was declared dead at the scene, while the defendant was rushed to an area hospital for treatment on extensive injuries she suffered in the crash.

Collision analysis indicates the Mr. Souza’s Jeep was traveling west in the westbound lane, when it was struck by the defendant’s Volkswagen, which was traveling in the wrong direction.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mattthew Friedel.

In his obituary, Mr. Souza was remembered as a music-lover, disc jockey and comedian: “John was a great son, brother, uncle and friend. He was competitive, he loved life and music, he was quick to laugh, he loved to shoot pool, spend time with his family and friends. He lived his life to the fullest everyday. He was the kind of person who would do anything for a friend or loved one but also for a person he just met. His laugh was infectious and his personality made people gravitate towards him. Anyone who knew him loved him. His honesty and sense of humor made him one of the funniest and most genuine people you could ever know. He will be missed by all.”