FALL RIVER — The former Somerset man accused of killing a family of three during a head-on car crash on the Veterans Memorial Bridge on Christmas night may be considering a plea deal.
Adam Gauthier of Manhattan, formerly of Somerset, appeared in Bristol County Superior Court on Monday where defense attorney Kevin Reddington said he and prosecutors were discussing “hopeful resolution of this tragic matter.”
Gauthier faces three counts of manslaughter while under the influence and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon , all felonies. He is accused of driving a Range Rover SUV drunk the wrong way on Veterans Memorial on Christmas night in 2023 and crashing into a vehicle carrying three members of a Seekonk family.
Killed in the accident were Jacoby Arruda, 15, and his grandparents, Floriano Arruda, 73, and Donna Arruda, 68. Gauthier suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
A conviction of manslaughter under the influence of alcohol carries a sentence of five to 20 years in state prison, a fine of up to $25,000, and a driver’s license suspension of at least 15 years to life.