New court date set for man accused of drunk driving in deadly Christmas night crash in Somerset

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — A man accused of drunk driving in a crash that killed a family in Somerset on Christmas night was set to be arraigned on new charges Tuesday, but the court date was pushed back.

An ABC 6 News crew saw state prosecutors tell the judge in Fall River District Court that Adam Gauthier and his attorneys were not aware that there were additional charges for him to be arraigned on.

Gauthier, 41, will now appear in court on Friday, Jan. 19.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said Gauthier faces new charges of manslaughter while operating under the influence and motor vehicle homicide — OUI of liquor following the death of 68-year-old Donna Arruda.

Gauthier was already being held on $100,000 cash bail after his initial arraignment from a hospital bed.

He was arrested shortly after a wrong-way crash on the Somerset side of the Veterans Memorial Bridge at 11 p.m. on Christmas. Prosecutors say Gauthier was drunk when he hit the family’s SUV head-on.

Donna died days after her husband, 73-year-old Floriano “Flo” Arruda, and their 15-year-old grandson Jacoby. The family lived in Seekonk.

Jacoby’s former football coach, Sampson Blevines, spoke exclusively with ABC 6 News ahead of Gauthier’s originally set court date.

“Flo was always there. Donna was always there. They were such great role models for him and would give the world to him,” Blevines said.

Gauthier is a New York City resident who formerly lived in Somerset.