June 1, 2010 - Sonia Mouco, 36, from Dartmouth, Massachusetts, suffered serious personal injuries when her Volkswagen Jetta was side-swiped by a Honda Civic, which was apparently racing a Honda Accord along Route 18 South in New Bedford. Xaviel Quinones, 18, of New Bedford, was operating the Accord while traveling with two 2 year old boys in the back seat. Brittany Oliveira, 18, also from New Bedford, was riding as a passenger in one of the racing cars and was ejected from that vehicle. Carlos Rodrigues Jr.'s Acura, which was traveling northbound on Route 18, was struck with flying debris from the accident. The accident occurred on Sunday near the Purchase Street exit.
According to the Massachusetts State Police, the Civic, driven by an unidentified 17 year old, hit the right side of Mouco's car and then collided with the Accord. The impact of the crash was so great that the engine from one of the racing cars flew out of the vehicle. The debris that hit Rodirigues Jr.'s car scratched its body and caused one window to break and another to crack. Mouco said she could hear the children screaming in the Accord, but was unable to get out of her own car to rescue them.
Both of the toddlers were taken from the scene by medical helicopter. One was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and the other was transported to Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence. Oliveira was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where she was listed in fair condition as of Monday. Mouco suffered injuries in the crash and is recuperating at her parent's home. Apparently, none of the injuries suffered in the collision were life threatening.
State police issued several citations to the operators of the Civic and Accord for violations including speeding and racing. This accident remains under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police.
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