Fall River teen charged after alleged highway crash into traffic message board

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WLNE) — A Fall River man has been charged after police say he crashed into a highway construction traffic message board Saturday night in Portsmouth.

According to the Portsmouth Police Department, 18-year-old Michael A. Montanez Verdejo was charged in the incident on Route 24 near Cedar Island.

Portsmouth police responded to the area at approximately 9:44 p.m. Saturday, observing a gray Toyota Camry overturned in a wooded area off the road.

Police say that the vehicle had struck a construction traffic message board, which was resting against the Camry.

One juvenile and Montanez Verdejo were observed inside the vehicle, which had sustained heavy damage with all airbags deployed, according to police.

Two other juvenile occupants were able to exit the vehicle before police arrived.

Montanez Verdejo was conscious but trapped inside the Camry and an unresponsive third juvenile passenger was also inside. 

According to police, there was a strong odor of marijuana and several alcoholic beverage containers were located.

Montanez Verdejo and the passenger were extricated from the car by arriving Portsmouth Fire Department personnel.

The juvenile passenger suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital where they remain hospitalized.

Montanez Verdejo was transported to Rhode Island Hospital for injuries and remains hospitalized.

The two juveniles who exited the car were treated at Newport Hospital and released.

According to the investigation by Portsmouth detectives and accident reconstruction personnel, Montanez Verdejo is charged with:

• Driving so as to endanger, resulting in serious personal injury
• Driving so as to endanger, resulting in physical injury
• Driving so as to endanger, resulting in physical injury

According to police, Montanez Verdejo was also cited for driving on a suspended license, presence of alcohol while operating a vehicle, speed violations and others.

He was arraigned by a justice of the peace and released on $5,000 surety bail and will be formally arraigned on Thursday in 2nd Division District Court.