TAUNTON, MASS. (WHDH) - A man who was fleeing from police when he caused a crash in Taunton that left a woman dead has been charged with manslaughter and other charges, police said Monday night.
State troopers were trying to stop a car in Middleborough being driven by Hector Bannister-Sanchez, whom they are investigating, when they say the 34-year-old Medford man sped away.
Although officials say no troopers pursued Bannister-Sanchez, minutes later his SUV plowed into a car driven by Lori Ann Medeiros. The 54-year-old died as a result of her injuries.
“I heard the horrific impact of that crash,” said Steve Fowler, a neighbor in the area. “It was an SUV that had front-end damage, and then the car that it had hit was strewn further down the road, it just mangled awfully.”
Bannister-Sanchez fled on foot before he was found by bystanders and troopers and taken into custody. He was transported to Morton Hospital for potential injuries and is under police guard.
“Oh I was in shock when I first heard it,” said Dennis Burns, another neighbor. “Then they had the dogs– we thought they’d said something about drugs and the dogs were sniffing all in the woods there and everybody’s driveway.”
“That’s horrible, it really is,” Burns said. “For somebody to lose their life over something like that. I don’t know, I just feel bad for the poor family. My heart goes out to them because someone’s not coming home tonight.”
Bannister-Sanchez is being charged with manslaughter, reckless motor vehicle homicide and negligent motor vehicle homicide. He may be arraigned in Taunton District Court on Tuesday, depending on whether he is medically cleared to be transported.
The incident remains under investigation by the State Police Detective Unit for Bristol County with assistance from the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and Taunton Police.
(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)