Fatal Crash On I-195

DARTMOUTH, MA — A woman was killed in a crash in Dartmouth on Interstate 195 Thursday afternoon, police said. The victim was identified as Stephanie Merejildo, 21, of New Bedford. Police said she was a passenger in a vehicle whose driver swerved off the road and crashed into a tree. The driver, a woman, and a juvenile were also injured. Speed is being investigated as a possible factor in the crash, according to state police.

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The crash happened Thursday at about 1:30 p.m. on I-195 eastbound near Reed Road. The trio were in a 1998 Honda Civic, according to state police.

"(The vehicle) was traveling in the left lane on Route 195 eastbound when for an unknown reason the vehicle swerved sharply to the right," state police said in a statement. "The Honda traveled across all eastbound lanes, entering the soft shoulder on the breakdown lane side facing rearward. The Honda then struck a tree causing severe damage to the Honda. The occupants had to be extricated by Dartmouth (firefighters)."

Merejildo was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was transported to Rhode Island Hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said. The juvenile was transported to Hasbro Children's Hospital in Rhode Island with unknown injuries.

Police said they are investigating if the trio was wearing seat belts. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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