A recent graduate of Dartmouth High School was killed in a single car crash on Russells Mills Road Sunday night, June 15. 

Responding to the area near Cumberland Farms around 9:30 p.m., Dartmouth Police discovered the door of a 2003 Hyundai Sonata ajar and located a male, later identified at Nikoles Joseph, 18, pinned between the vehicle and a telephone pole, according to the Bristol County Attorney’s Office. Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene.

Joseph, a member of the football team, graduated with his peers in the Class of 2025 on Sunday, June 1.

In a message to the community from Superintendent June Saba-Maguire and Principal Ryan Shea, the officials say Joseph “will always be remembered for his radiant smile and his genuinely kind soul.”

“His legacy of putting others first, along with his natural ability to make everyone feel included, will continue to inspire our school community,” they added. “Upon graduation, Nick planned to enter the carpentry field. This devastating news has deeply affected our entire school community.”

Counselors will be available to students and staff to provide additional mental health resources and referrals. Staff will be available at the high school from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for the remainder of the week.

School officials are also working with the family to determine appropriate memorial considerations.

The crash currently remains under investigation by members of the Dartmouth Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. The Attorney’s Office does not anticipate charges at this time.