Man accused of driving drunk in deadly Taunton crash held without bail

TAUNTON, Mass. (WLNE) — A man who was arrested Saturday for allegedly killing one motorcyclist and seriously injuring another appeared in court on Monday.

According to court documents, Fred Moreira, 35, of New Bedford, was driving a Lexus sedan when he struck two motorcycles on Route-24 in Taunton. Both motorcyclists were thrown from their bikes as a result of the crash.

One of the victims, identified as Tyler Moniz, 30, of Fall River, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. He was thrown into the trees on the side of the highway.

The other motorcyclist suffered serious injuries but was “conscious and alert” when responders arrived. They were taken to an area hospital for treatment, according to officials.

When officers approached Moreira on the scene, they said they smelled a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and noticed him slurring his words. Moreira was then asked to take field sobriety tests, which police said he did not pass.

Court documents allege Moreira did admit to consuming an undetermined amount of alcohol at a restaurant in Brockton. He was later taken to the Massachusetts State Police Middleboro Barracks where he was given a blood-alcohol test. Documents allege the test read .17%, double the legal limit.

Prosecutors asked the court to set bail for Moreira at $50,000 due to the severity of the crash. They also negotiated for Moreira to be alcohol-free with daily monitoring, that he be monitored by GPS, that he surrender his passport, as he is a Cape Verde native, and that he is ordered not to drive following suspension of his license.

Moreira’s defense argued that his bail be reduced to $7,500, noting his car was on the correct side of the road with flashers on after the incident.

After deliberation, the court ordered Moreira’s bail be set at $25,000 but revoked it as he is in violation of probation from previous charges.

Moreira is expected to return to court in August.