NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — A Friday evening turned tragic for one family here when 67-year-old Robert Randall was struck and killed by a car near the busy Route 6 and Pleasant Street intersection around 5 p.m. on Friday. He was one of the city’s own, known locally and cared about by neighbors, and his sudden death has left many in the community stunned.
Authorities say Randall was walking near the intersection when a vehicle struck him. Police and emergency responders rushed him to a nearby hospital, but despite their efforts, he died from his injuries shortly after arrival. The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office confirmed his identity Saturday morning as the investigation continued.
The driver stayed at the scene after the crash and tried to help Randall before officials arrived, police said. That act of stopping and staying has been noted by investigators as they piece together what happened in the moments leading up to the impact. No charges have been filed, and details about how or why the crash occurred have not yet been released.
State Police detectives, New Bedford police, and the district attorney’s office are working together to understand the circumstances of the collision. They are looking into everything from lighting and road conditions to traffic flow at the time of the incident. Investigators have stressed that fatal crash inquiries take time, and they are carefully reviewing evidence and witness accounts.
This heartbreaking death came just a day after another pedestrian tragedy in the same city. On New Year’s Day, 33-year-old Nicolassa Ventura Colaj was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver as she crossed Acushnet Avenue after a church service. Police have since seized a vehicle in that case and are pursuing leads.
The back-to-back nature of these deaths has shaken residents and renewed conversations about pedestrian safety throughout New Bedford. Local officials and law enforcement have urged both drivers and people on foot to remain extra vigilant, especially as daylight fades and traffic increases in the early evening hours.
Friends and neighbors described Randall as a familiar presence in the community, someone who enjoyed being out and about and talking with people he saw on his walks. His loss is being felt deeply by those who knew him, and memorials and messages of support have begun to appear around town as the city mourns.
The investigation into Randall’s death is ongoing, and police said they hope to release more details when available. They also encouraged anyone who may have witnessed the crash to come forward, saying even small bits of information could help clarify exactly what happened that Friday evening.
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