Taunton man dies after SUV crashes over bridge

TAUNTON (AP) — Police have released the name of the man who died when the SUV he was driving plunged off a bridge and into the Taunton River.

Police say 22-year-old Rafael DaVeiga was traveling south on Route 140 in Taunton at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday when he struck a traffic island, crashed through the guardrails of the nearby Edward McCarthy Memorial Bridge, and landed in the Taunton River.

Taunton police, fire and dive teams worked to remove the driver, who was later pronounced dead at Morton Hospital. He was the only person in the vehicle.

The vehicle landed in about eight feet of water.

The crash is under investigation but police believe DaVeiga was speeding.

Cox Media Group