Witness chases and captures hit and run suspect

Email: BTaylor@abc6.com

Twitter: BTaylorABC6

FALL RIVER, MA (WLNE): A white pickup truck rolled on its side after it crashed into a trailer parked legally on South Main Street in Fall River on Wednesday, according to the Fall River Police Department.

A witness, Brandon Southworth, 18, was driving back from work at the Y.M.C.A. when he saw the driver try to run away from the scene. 

“All you see is him start running,” Southworth said. “I dropped my backpack and I ran like terminator style.”

Southworth chased the driver and put him in a chokehold after he tried to fight back until police showed up. 

Fall River Police arrested Manuel Faria, 29. He was taken a local hospital for treatment, then into police custody. Faria is charged with leaving the scene of an MVA, Negligent Operation, and Operating after revocation and numerous warrants. 

Southworth is the MVP of his high school wrestling team and works as a lifeguard.

“I had my CPR and first medical aid with me, so I always am prepared for anything,” Southworth said.

Members of the community are applauding Southworth for his heroism. 

“That’s what the community needs,” Claudio Pereira, a Fall River resident said. It’s people like this young kid doing a job like that. Hopefully, you have more people like him around to help out the community.”

Southworth told ABC6 News that is exactly what he hopes others take from this. 

“After seeing everything that’s happened in Fall Fiver I don’t want people to think there are not good people out there,” Southworth said. “My intention was to do my best in the community.”