The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office has released the names of three teenagers killed in two separate car crashes over the weekend, leaving southeastern Massachusetts communities reeling from grief. The unrelated crashes, which occurred just hours apart in Taunton and Dartmouth, claimed the lives of young victims whose futures were cut tragically short.
The first fatal crash happened late Friday night, September 19, in Taunton. Authorities reported that around 10:13 p.m., 18-year-old Savannah Salemme of Dighton was driving a Toyota Tacoma pickup when she lost control. The truck struck the front porch of a home before rolling into parked cars in the driveway. By the time officers arrived, the vehicle was engulfed in flames. Despite emergency efforts, Salemme could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene. The collision caused extensive damage to both the vehicle and the property, and investigators are still working to determine what caused her to lose control.
Just hours later, tragedy struck again in Dartmouth. At approximately 1:09 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, Massachusetts State Police responded to Interstate 195 after a Kia sedan traveling at high speed crashed into the median. The violent impact ejected two passengers—16-year-old Brielle Raposo and 15-year-old Cameren Gutter, both of Fall River. Both teens died at the scene. Authorities confirmed the Kia had been reported stolen out of Fall River prior to the crash.
Investigators noted that State Police had received reports of the Kia driving erratically and at dangerous speeds before the collision. While officials have not yet identified the driver, the circumstances suggest speed and reckless operation played a role. Detectives are continuing to piece together who was behind the wheel and how the stolen vehicle ended up on I-195.
The loss of three teenagers in such a short span has devastated families, classmates, and entire communities. District Attorney Thomas Quinn III described the crashes as “heartbreaking,” stressing the tragic weight of losing such young lives so suddenly. Vigils and memorials are expected as friends and community members gather to honor Salemme, Raposo, and Gutter.
Both accidents underscore the dangers of risky driving, whether from speed, distraction, or involvement in stolen vehicles. Authorities are urging parents to have ongoing conversations with teens about roadway safety and the life-altering consequences of reckless behavior. For now, southeastern Massachusetts mourns three young lives gone too soon, as investigations into both crashes remain ongoing.