Diane Moniz, Jeffrey Moniz Obituary, Death: Dartmouth man charged in fatal head-on crash over Memorial Day weekend

Diane Moniz, Jeffrey Moniz Obituary, Death – A tragic car crash in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, claimed the lives of two elderly residents on Sunday morning, prompting a criminal investigation and charges against the driver of the second vehicle involved. The incident occurred just before 10:30 a.m. on Old Westport Road, near the address of 422 Old Westport Road, and resulted in a head-on collision between two vehicles.

According to the Dartmouth Police Department, officers were dispatched to the scene following reports of a serious accident involving two cars. Upon arrival, emergency personnel found that the crash had resulted from a direct head-on impact between a Toyota Echo and a Toyota RAV4.

Inside the Toyota Echo were Diane Moniz and Jeffrey Moniz, both 76 years old and residents of Westport. The couple suffered severe injuries in the crash, and first responders immediately began providing emergency medical assistance. Despite these efforts, Diane and Jeffrey Moniz were later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital due to the extent of their traumatic injuries.

The driver of the second vehicle, identified as 63-year-old Philip Morris of Dartmouth, sustained only minor injuries. According to the police investigation at the scene, Morris had crossed the double yellow lines into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with the Moniz couple’s vehicle. The crash is believed to have been caused by negligent driving on Morris’s part.

Following an initial assessment and further inquiries by law enforcement, Morris has been formally charged with two counts of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation. In addition to the homicide charges, he is also facing a citation for a marked lanes violation, which relates to crossing the center line and entering the opposite lane of traffic.

Authorities have not yet released specific details regarding what led Morris to veer into the opposite lane. It remains unclear whether distraction, fatigue, a medical episode, or another factor may have contributed to the deadly collision. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence, review witness statements, and assess the circumstances that led to the crash.

The loss of Diane and Jeffrey Moniz has left the Westport and Dartmouth communities in mourning. The couple, both in their mid-70s, were well-known in their town, and their sudden passing has deeply affected those who knew them. Friends, neighbors, and local residents have expressed shock and sadness over the incident, noting that the pair were long-time members of the community.

Philip Morris, now facing serious criminal charges, will likely be required to appear in court as the case moves forward. The legal process will determine the full extent of his responsibility in the crash and what consequences he may face if found guilty of negligent operation resulting in death.

Motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation is a significant charge in Massachusetts, carrying potentially severe penalties if a conviction is secured. Prosecutors will work with crash investigators and other authorities to build a comprehensive case based on the evidence collected from the scene and any subsequent findings.

As the investigation continues, the Dartmouth Police Department is urging anyone with additional information or who may have witnessed the crash to come forward. Eyewitness accounts or surveillance footage from nearby properties may help clarify what occurred in the moments leading up to the collision.

This accident serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be lost on the road and highlights the importance of staying attentive and following traffic laws at all times. Authorities are using this opportunity to remind drivers to maintain proper lane discipline, especially on roads without medians or barriers separating lanes of opposing traffic.

In the wake of the tragedy, officials may also evaluate whether additional safety measures, such as road signage, speed limits, or physical lane dividers, might be appropriate for that stretch of Old Westport Road to prevent similar incidents in the future.

For now, the focus remains on honoring the lives of Diane and Jeffrey Moniz, supporting their grieving family and friends, and ensuring a thorough and fair investigation into the events that led to their untimely deaths. As legal proceedings begin and investigators continue their work, the community hopes for clarity and justice in the aftermath of this heartbreaking incident.