Dartmouth man let out on bail following vehicle homicide that killed one, injured another

A Dartmouth man charged with vehicular homicide, resulting in the death of one woman, has been released on bail after an arraignment in New Bedford District Court. 

The crash occurred around 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, when Andrew Johansen allegedly swerved onto the sidewalk and caused the death of a 70-year-old woman and minor injuries to another woman. His arraignment was held hours later at the New Bedford District Court.

Johansen stated he was driving west on Coggeshall Street around the intersection of Coggeshall and Achushnet Avenue in New Bedford in his Toyota Tundra when he attempted to pass traffic by merging partially into oncoming traffic. He then swerved left into the sidewalk and hit both victims. This was also caught on a video camera.

He claims that he swerved onto the sidewalk due to ice on the road, but the lawyer representing the Commonwealth stated the scene was photographed by investigators and they reported there was no ice present. 

Mary Ptaszenski, the 70-year-old from New Bedford, was allegedly pinned under the car and became unconscious. She was transported to Saint Luke’s Hospital, where she died from her injuries. The other victim, Lorraine Driscoll, a 65-year-old woman from Fairhaven, sustained less serious injuries to her arm. 

When police arrived at the scene, Johansen consented to a Standardized Field Sobriety Test, but refused a breathalyzer test at the station. Detectives transported him to the station, and reported the scent of alcohol on his breath. Officers at the station made the same note, adding that he had glassy eyes. 

Police reported there was an open can of beer in the car, which Johansen stated was from two days prior to the accident. The investigators also found a bottle of tequila about 10 feet from his vehicle, as if it was from his car, prosecutors said.

Police stated in the video, when he swerved out to pass traffic, it seemed as if Johansen accelerated fast and aggressively, causing his tires to spin and create a plume of smoke. Johansen’s court appointed attorney stated due to low temperatures this could have been cold air. 

He is charged with a marked lanes violation, possessing alcohol in an open container in a motor vehicle, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating under the influence, operating under the influence resulting in serious injury and negligent and and motor vehicle homicide.

His bail was set at $5,000 with the conditions that he does not drink and has a Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring (SCRAM) test three times a day, does not operate a motor vehicle and adheres to an GPS confirmed 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. curfew. 

Johansen pleaded not guilty, and his court appointed attorney stated there is not enough proof that he was intoxicated. He also stated that this homicide was not reckless or intentional, but negligent. 

His next hearing will be held at the New Bedford District Court on Friday, March 6.