Southeastern Massachusetts – Several Southeastern Massachusetts communities are mourning after two separate crashes claimed the lives of three teenagers over the weekend, leaving families, classmates, and neighbors devastated. On Friday night, tragedy struck along Tremont Street in Taunton, a stretch of road that residents say is known for its dangerous curve. According to authorities, a teenage driver from Dighton lost control of a pickup truck while navigating the bend. The truck veered off the road, colliding with a porch and several parked cars before bursting into flames.
First responders rushed to the scene but were unable to save the driver. The victim was later identified as Savannah Rian Salemme, a young woman remembered for her vibrant personality and deep family ties. A GoFundMe campaign launched in her memory describes her as “a loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and best friend,” capturing the immense void her loss has left behind.
“She was loved by so many,” the campaign reads, highlighting the lasting impact she made on those around her.
Savannah had recently graduated from Bristol-Plymouth Technical School in the Class of 2025. Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District Superintendent Bill Runey expressed condolences on behalf of the school community, noting that Savannah was cherished not only by her teachers but also by classmates and peers from her earlier school years.
“Her younger siblings are still in the district, and we will rally around them and the entire Ellis family during this heartbreaking time,” Runey said in a statement to NBC 10. He confirmed that counseling and grief support staff will be available this week for students and faculty struggling with the news.
While Dighton and Taunton were grappling with this loss, another tragedy unfolded just hours later in nearby Fall River. On Saturday morning, two teenagers were killed in a crash on I-195 West in Dartmouth. According to Massachusetts State Police, the teens were ejected from a stolen vehicle after it crashed into the median. Authorities reported receiving multiple calls shortly before the collision about a car being driven erratically on the highway.
Though police have not yet formally released the names of the victims, family and friends identified one of the teenagers as Brielle Raposo. A GoFundMe page created in her honor describes Brielle as a lively young woman with a sharp sense of humor and a deep love for her family. She was the eldest of five children and shared a particularly close bond with her four younger brothers.
“Brielle was witty, sassy, and quick with her humor,” the fundraiser notes. “She loved to tease and hassle her brothers, but she was also always there to carry them around and take care of them.”
Fall River police confirmed that a missing persons report had been filed for Brielle on Friday, just a day before the crash. The fundraiser further notes that Brielle’s boyfriend also died in the accident, intensifying the grief surrounding the incident.
As both communities attempt to come to terms with the losses, roadside memorials have begun to appear, filled with flowers, candles, and crosses. Friends and family members have gathered at the crash sites to remember the teens and share stories of their lives.
These tragedies serve as stark reminders of the fragility of life and the dangers posed by high-speed driving and erratic behavior on the roads. For now, Southeastern Massachusetts is united in mourning, offering comfort to grieving families and support to the schools and communities forever changed by the sudden deaths of Savannah, Brielle, and her boyfriend.
The investigations into both crashes remain ongoing.
