NEW BEDFORD, MA — A 21-year-old man died after a Friday night crash in New Bedford involving a motorcycle and a Saturn sedan, according to police. Officers said the rider, Anthony Navarro Rodriguez, was found on the ground with significant injuries after crews responded just before 10 p.m. to the intersection of Walnut and South Sixth streets.
Police said he was taken first to St. Luke’s Hospital and then airlifted to Rhode Island Hospital in critical condition. He was pronounced dead on Saturday. The driver of the sedan stayed at the scene and was not injured.
Police responded just before 10 p.m. to Walnut and South Sixth streets
The crash happened at one of the city’s busy street intersections, and emergency crews were called in before 10 p.m. Friday. Police said the report involved a Saturn sedan and a motorcycle, but they have not released details about what led to the collision.
Rodriguez was discovered on the ground with severe injuries when responders arrived. The immediate priority was medical care, and police said he was moved from the scene to St. Luke’s Hospital before being flown to Providence for more advanced treatment.
Anthony Navarro Rodriguez was flown to Rhode Island Hospital in critical condition
Police identified the motorcyclist as Anthony Navarro Rodriguez, 21. After initial treatment in New Bedford, he was transported by air to Rhode Island Hospital because of the seriousness of his injuries.
Authorities said he remained in critical condition when he arrived there. He died the following day, Saturday, ending what police had already described as a severe injury case from the moment first responders reached the intersection.
Sedan driver stayed at the scene and was not hurt
The driver of the Saturn did not leave the area after the crash and was not injured, police said. That detail is important because investigators were able to continue working at the scene without a reported second patient needing hospital care.
No information has been released about whether speed, traffic, visibility, or another factor played a role. Police have not said whether either vehicle was headed in a particular direction or whether any witnesses provided statements at the scene.
Woman entered taped-off area and was charged during the investigation
While officers were investigating the collision, a 28-year-old woman repeatedly went into the taped-off area even after being told to leave, police said. Authorities said her behavior became disorderly and interfered with the investigation.
She was charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and interfering with a police officer or investigation. The charges were tied to her conduct at the crash scene, not to the collision itself, according to police.
No crash charges filed as New Bedford investigation continues
As of the latest update, no charges have been filed in connection with the crash itself. Police said the incident remains under investigation, which means detectives or crash investigators are still working to determine exactly what happened at the intersection.
For now, the known facts are limited to the time, location, vehicles involved, and the death of the 21-year-old rider. Authorities have not announced any additional findings or identified any criminal case related to the collision.
