New Bedford drunk driver sentenced for death of Dartmouth father

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — The Bristol County District Attorney said a New Bedford drunk driver whose actions caused the death of a Dartmouth father in 2018 was sentenced to a minimum of five years in prison Monday.

Thomas Quinn said 31-year-old Justin Castro pleaded guilty to a charge of motor vehicle manslaughter in connection to a Nov. 2018, crash that claimed the life of a 39-year-old Dartmouth man.

Officials said early that morning they received multiple 911 calls about a two-car accident at the intersection of Kempton Street and Brownell Avenue.

New Bedford police said one car involved was heavily damaged and had all airbags deployed. They confirmed the driver of the car was David Dos Santos who was unresponsive and later determined deceased.

Authorities said another car was a few yards away with Castro as the driver. His vehicle sustained heavy damage and also had airbags deploy.

Castro was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where officials said his blood alcohol content was .228, nearly three times the legal limit.

An investigation revealed Castro was drinking at multiple establishments in the hours before the crash.

Witnesses of the crash said Castro was traveling at a high rate of speed and ran through a red light before striking Dos Santos.

Investigators confirmed Castro was driving 61 mph in a 35 mph area at the point of impact.

“As a result of being highly intoxicated, the defendant killed an innocent man,” District Attorney Quinn said.

“This case is a tragedy for all people involved. My heart goes out to the victim’s family for their loss, which they will never recover from,” he continued.