DARTMOUTH, MA — A somber cloud hangs over the communities of New Bedford, MA, and Pawtucket, RI, following a tragic highway crash that claimed the lives of two young men on Saturday afternoon. The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office has officially identified the victims as 19-year-old Kevin Dos Santos Lopes of New Bedford and 18-year-old Amilton De Pina Semedo of Pawtucket.
The fatal accident occurred at approximately 1:35 p.m. on July 26, 2025. Massachusetts State Police were dispatched to mile marker 19.4 near the Reed Road Exit on I-195 West in Dartmouth after receiving multiple 911 calls from motorists who had witnessed the crash.
Upon arrival, troopers encountered the devastating scene of a single-vehicle collision involving a 2006 gray Chevy Equinox. The impact of the crash was so severe that it ejected both occupants from the vehicle and dislodged the engine from its frame, a chilling testament to the force involved.
Emergency medical personnel responded quickly, and both victims were rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite all life-saving efforts, both young men were pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.
Authorities have stated that no other vehicles were involved, and preliminary findings do not suggest any suspicious circumstances surrounding the crash. The Massachusetts State Police are conducting a thorough investigation into the cause, alongside troopers assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.
As word of the tragedy spread, both New Bedford and Pawtucket have been left heartbroken. Friends, classmates, and community members have taken to social media to express their grief and share memories of the two promising young men.
Kevin Dos Santos Lopes, 19, was described by friends as ambitious, kind-hearted, and always smiling. He had deep roots in New Bedford and was known for his commitment to his family and his drive to pursue a better future.
Amilton De Pina Semedo, 18, of Pawtucket, was remembered as thoughtful and full of life. Those who knew him said he had a big heart and a bright mind, and he often went out of his way to make others feel seen and appreciated.
Both young men had their whole lives ahead of them — filled with dreams, goals, and the potential to make a lasting impact on the world around them. Their untimely deaths are a painful reminder of how fragile and fleeting life can be.
In the wake of this tragedy, loved ones are left not only with questions but with an overwhelming grief that words cannot ease. Funeral arrangements for Kevin and Amilton will be announced in the coming days, as their families begin the heartbreaking process of saying goodbye.
The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office encourages anyone with additional information or who may have witnessed the crash to come forward and assist with the investigation.
As the investigation continues, the communities of Dartmouth, New Bedford, and Pawtucket come together in mourning — holding onto cherished memories of Kevin and Amilton and honoring the brief but meaningful lives they lived.
May they rest in eternal peace.
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