Taunton Fatal Crash Criminal Charges

Bristol County District Attorney’s Office

Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney

Press Release
November 7, 2022

A 34-year-old Medford man is being criminally charged tonight in connection with this afternoon’s fatal crash on Kingman Road in Taunton which claimed the life of a 54-year-old Middleboro woman.

Hector Fernando Bannister-Sanchez is being charged with Manslaughter, Reckless Motor Vehicle Homicide and Negligent Motor Vehicle Homicide.

Shortly after 2 pm today, members of a Massachusetts State Police narcotics task force attempted to stop a motor vehicle in Middleboro being operated by the defendant, who was the target of an ongoing investigation. The defendant, who was driving a 2017 Toyota Highlander sport utility vehicle, fled the attempted stop and drove away at a high rate of speed. 

The task force members did not pursue the defendant. 

Several minutes later, the defendant’s vehicle crashed into a Ford Fusion being operated by Lori Ann Medeiros on Kingman Road in Taunton. Mrs. Medeiros died as a result of the crash.

The defendant was transported to Morton Hospital in Taunton for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.  The defendant may be arraigned in Taunton District Court tomorrow depending on whether he is medically cleared to be transported.  

The incident remains under investigation by the State Police Detective Unit assigned to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn’s office, prosecutors, the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and Taunton Police. 

Contact:

Gregg Miliote

Director of Communications

774-292-9576