DARTMOUTH, MA — Community Grieves Loss of Two Teenagers Killed in Weekend Crash
A tragic car crash in Dartmouth over the weekend has claimed the lives of two teenagers, leaving two communities in mourning and highlighting the fragility of young lives taken far too soon. Authorities have now identified the victims as 19-year-old Kevin Dos Santos Lopes of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and 18-year-old Amilton De Pina Semedo of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The two young men were close friends whose lives ended abruptly in a violent collision that has devastated their families and peers.
The crash occurred late Saturday night, July 26, 2025, in the area of Chase Road near the intersection of Lucy Little Road, a stretch known for its rural landscape and winding turns. Dartmouth Police and emergency crews were dispatched to the scene shortly after midnight following reports of a serious single-vehicle accident.
Upon arrival, first responders discovered a severely damaged vehicle that had apparently left the road at high speed, struck a tree, and rolled over before coming to rest in a wooded area. Both Lopes and Semedo were found unresponsive inside the car and were pronounced dead at the scene.
A third occupant, an 18-year-old male whose name has not been released, was also in the vehicle and was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford with non-life-threatening injuries. He remains in stable condition, according to Dartmouth Police.
Investigators from the Dartmouth Police Department and Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Section are continuing to examine the circumstances leading to the crash. While no official cause has been determined, authorities have stated that speed is believed to have been a contributing factor. Toxicology reports are pending as part of the standard investigative process.
The loss of Kevin and Amilton has shaken not just Dartmouth, but also the cities of New Bedford and Pawtucket—tight-knit communities where both young men were well-known and well-loved.
Kevin Dos Santos Lopes, 19, was remembered by friends and family as a bright, respectful, and driven young man with dreams of pursuing a career in business or automotive technology. A recent graduate of New Bedford High School, Kevin had enrolled in courses at Bristol Community College and was working part-time to help support his family.
“He was the light of our home,” said his older sister, Maria Lopes. “Always smiling, always working hard. He loved his friends, his family, and he had so many dreams.”
Amilton De Pina Semedo, 18, hailed from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and had recently graduated from Tolman High School. Described by friends as “goofy, loyal, and full of life,” Amilton was passionate about music and often wrote lyrics and recorded songs with friends in his spare time. He had hoped to one day turn that passion into a career.
“He had the biggest heart,” said longtime friend Jalen Costa. “He could walk into a room and make everyone feel better just by being there. I can’t believe he’s gone.”
The two teens had been inseparable since middle school, with friends describing them as “brothers by choice.” They often traveled together between New Bedford and Pawtucket, sharing a bond that was strengthened by similar life experiences and a mutual desire to rise above challenges.
Grief counselors have been made available at local schools and community centers in both cities as family, friends, classmates, and educators grapple with the sudden loss. Vigils were held in both New Bedford and Pawtucket on Sunday evening, drawing hundreds of mourners who gathered to light candles, share memories, and pray for the families left behind.
“Our hearts are broken,” said Dartmouth Police Chief Brian Levesque. “Anytime young lives are lost in such a sudden and tragic way, it shakes a community to its core. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of Kevin and Amilton during this unimaginably difficult time.”
Funeral arrangements for both teens are being coordinated with assistance from family friends and community leaders. A joint memorial service is being considered as a tribute to the lifelong friendship the two shared.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, there are renewed calls from local officials and parents to address road safety for young drivers—particularly the risks associated with speeding, distracted driving, and nighttime travel. Efforts are already underway to improve signage and lighting in the area of the crash.
As both New Bedford and Pawtucket try to come to terms with the loss of two promising young lives, one message is clear: Kevin Dos Santos Lopes and Amilton De Pina Semedo will not be forgotten. They leave behind memories of joy, brotherhood, and potential unfulfilled—a painful reminder of how quickly and irreversibly life can change.