Mother of Taunton man injured in texting car crash speaks

By Mike LaCrosse

mlacrosse@abc6.com

The mother of a Taunton man injured in a car crash alleged caused by distracked and drunk driving is begging people to think twice when behind the wheel.

"Drinking and driving and texting is just unexceptable.  You need to think before you get behind the wheel.  It just takes a split second and you can change somebody's life forever,"  said Carmen Miranda.

Her son John "BJ" Miranda remains in the ICU at Rhode Island Hospital following Friday morning's car crash.

"I'm here everyday early in the morning until late at night. I feel totally helpless. It's just awful," said Miranda.

Miranda's longtime girlfriend was also injured, but is recovering.  The couple's hospital stay is leaving their four kids without their parents.  A fund (http://www.gofundme.com/y6enw9c) has been setup to help them through the recovery.

State Police say 24-year-old Nicholas Coutinho was behind the wheel and caused the accident on 140 in Taunton.  He has been charged with DUI, texting while driving and speeding.

(C) WLNE-TV 2015