A late-night crash on County Street in Taunton left a 26-year-old local woman dead after her car slammed into a telephone pole, authorities said. First responders arrived to find a 2001 Honda Accord pinned against the pole with heavy damage on the driver’s side. A 23-year-old female passenger was taken to a nearby hospital with what officials described as minor injuries, while the driver was also transported and later pronounced dead. Investigators say they are still working to determine what went wrong.
What authorities say
According to WHDH, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III identified the driver as 26-year-old Selina Mendez of Taunton. Police were called to the area of 266 County St. around 11:15 p.m. on Friday, July 17, for a report of a single-vehicle crash. When officers arrived, they found the Accord crumpled against a telephone pole with significant impact to the driver’s side.
The district attorney’s office told WHDH that the passenger’s injuries were considered minor and that she was treated at a local hospital. Mendez was also taken to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. No additional information about her final moments has been released.
Crash trends in the Commonwealth
Statewide, fatal crashes have seen a modest dip. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts reports that fatal injury crashes across Massachusetts fell by roughly 4.6 percent during the federal fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2024. Even with that decline, Bristol County remains among the counties with higher numbers of deadly crashes, a pattern officials say helps guide where they focus enforcement and safety initiatives.
The annual highway safety report outlines a mix of strategies, including education campaigns, targeted traffic enforcement, and local partnerships, all aimed at cutting down on serious crashes and traffic deaths on roads across the state.
What’s next
The Bristol County District Attorney’s office said the investigation into the cause of the County Street crash is ongoing and has not released any findings about whether factors such as impairment, speed, or a possible mechanical issue were involved, WHDH reported. Taunton police and the DA’s office typically coordinate with state investigators on fatal crash cases, and no charges have been announced at this time.
Authorities say the case remains open, and more details are expected as investigators continue to piece together what led up to the deadly collision on County Street.
