A West Wareham man was charged with a fourth operating under the influence offense in connection with a fatal motorcycle crash that killed a 25-year-old man, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz’s office said Monday.
In Wareham District Court, Raymond Cardoza, 67, pleaded not guilty to one count each of operating under the influence — manslaughter, operating under the influence (fourth offense), leaving the scene of an accident resulting in personal injury or death, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.
Judge Teresa Lamarre set Cardoza’s bail at $250,000, along with the following conditions: Cardoza must wear a GPS-monitoring bracelet, stay at home and use a Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring (SCRAM) device three times a day, Cruz’s office said in a statement.
Cardoza’s bail was initially set at $100,000.
Cardoza is next expected to appear in court on Aug. 27.
At around 5:05 p.m. on Friday, Wareham police learned of a crash near 2628 Cranberry Hwy, Cruz’s office said. First responders found Jordan Hansen, 25, on the ground with life-threatening injuries and took him to Tobey Hospital before he was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford.
At St. Luke’s, Hansen was pronounced dead.
Police spotted Cardoza driving in a Toyota about a quarter-mile away from the crash, with damage on the car’s motor that was consistent with damage from a crash, Cruz’s office said. Officers arrested Cardoza, who later told investigators that his birthday was that day and he had had two to three beers to drink that morning.
He was on his way to Walmart when the crash happened, the statement read. During his interviews with police, officers could smell “a strong odor of alcohol,” Cruz’s office said.
After the investigation concluded, police arrested Cardoza.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
