NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — A local man was sentenced on Wednesday following a fatal motorcycle crash in New Bedford in June 2021.
William Botelho Jr. was found guilty of Motor Vehicle Homicide OUI in New Bedford Court and received a 2-year suspended sentence, according to court records. His arraignment took place in January 2023.
On June 6, 2021, at approximately 7:00 p.m., New Bedford Police responded to a motorcycle accident near Acushnet Avenue and Conduit Street. The motorcycle, traveling northbound, struck a guardrail at 2344 Acushnet Avenue. Authorities reported that Botelho was allegedly speeding and had been drinking prior to the incident.
Both Botelho and his passenger, 24-year-old Krystal Geraldo of North Scituate, Rhode Island, were hospitalized with serious injuries. Geraldo succumbed to her injuries on June 8, 2021.
This incident prompted an investigation by local law enforcement, with assistance from the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. No further details regarding the investigation have been released.