It was a quiet Thursday night that turned tragic for the communities of Tiverton and Somerset when 69-year-old Gail Lopes, a long-time resident of Tiverton, Rhode Island, died following a wrong-way crash on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 195 over the Braga Bridge. State police investigators were called to the scene after multiple 911 calls about a vehicle traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes around 7:45 p.m..
According to the office of Thomas M. Quinn III, the Bristol County District Attorney, first responders arrived to find three vehicles involved. Ms. Lopes’ car — described as a white Toyota sedan — had entered the eastbound lanes from the Somerset side of the bridge, traveling in the opposite direction of the flow of traffic.
The two other vehicles were proceeding correctly eastbound on I-195 when the wrong-way car struck them. Both drivers of those vehicles were alone in their cars and sustained injuries that were not life-threatening; they were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
One especially chilling aspect of the incident: dash-cam footage shared with local news outlet ABC6 shows several vehicles suddenly swerving sharply to avoid the oncoming Toyota. The dash-cam driver called police just moments before the impact. The video underscores how quickly a normal evening commute spiraled into a nightmare for those caught in its path.
Emergency crews from multiple jurisdictions responded: state troopers, local police, EMS teams, and fire crews worked together to secure the scene, treat the injured, clear debris and damaged vehicles, and at times close lanes of the bridge while investigations were ongoing. Officials say the investigation is ongoing — troopers assigned to the Bristol County detective unit, collision and reconstruction sections are reviewing evidence, including traffic-camera footage, witness statements, and vehicle positions.
While officials have not made public any definitive cause for why Ms. Lopes entered the eastbound lanes traveling westbound, they are urging motorists to stay alert, to call authorities if they observe erratic or wrong-way driving, and to slow down in areas of limited visibility or heavy traffic. The suddenness of the event and the proximity of vehicles avoiding the wrong-way driver highlight the magnitude of the risk such situations pose.
The loss of Ms. Lopes has sent ripples through both Tiverton and Somerset — friends, neighbors and local residents are mourning the sudden passing of a familiar face and reflecting on how fragile our time behind the wheel can be. As the investigation continues, the community hopes for answers, closure and renewed attention to roadway safety.
