Dartmouth teen charged in New Year's Day alleged hit-and-run that killed pedestrian in New Bedford

A 16-year-old from Dartmouth faces five charges for an early New Year’s Day car crash that killed Nicolasa Ventura Colaj, 33, of New Bedford.

The teen has been charged with motor vehicle homicide, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a crash that resulted in a death, and two violations related to driving with a junior operator’s license.

Colaj was exiting a church service with her family in Church IPUL New Bedford, whcih is located at 1805 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford.

Colaj and her family had been celebrating the new year at a church service. Minutes after the service ended just after midnight on Thursday, Jan. 1, Colaj was struck and run over by an SUV, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office. Colaj had been crossing a roadway when she was struck by the SUV, which then fled the area.

In the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 1, investigators were able to identify, locate and seize the SUV.

Colaj was reportedly transported to St. Luke’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead shortly after.

The unnamed teen was set to be arraigned in the New Bedford Juvenile Court on Monday, Jan. 5. Since the teen is being tried in the Juvenile Court, the case is private and closed to both the press and the public.

"While nothing can undo this tragic loss, we are committed to seeing this investigation through and ensuring Nicolasa's family sees accountability and justice," wrote Police Chief Jason Thody in a post on the New Bedford Police Department's Facebook page.