Man Wanted By Cops Flees Traffic Stop, Causes Deadly Crash in Taunton: State Police

A man has been arrested after he fled a traffic stop Monday afternoon in Middleborough, Massachusetts, and then crashed into a car in Taunton, killing the woman behind the wheel, state police announced.

Massachusetts State Police say Hector Bannister-Sanchez, 34, of Medford, was being targeted by a narcotics task force team when they unsuccessfully attempted to stop his Toyota Highlander.

According to state police and the Bristol County District Attorney's Office, task force members, who were in unmarked cruisers, did not pursue Bannister-Sanchez when he sped away. No other state police cruisers pursued the suspect, either, whose identity was already known to law enforcement.

Several minutes later, police allege Bannister-Sanchez's SUV crashed into a Ford Fusion on Kingman Road in Taunton. Members of the task force responded to the crash, along with other state police patrols and local police.

The woman driving the Ford suffered fatal injuries, police said. She was identified by the DA's office later Monday as 54-year-old Lori Ann Medeiros, of Middleborough. Pictures from the scene showed the woman's car sustained significant damage in the wreck.

Following the crash, police say Bannister-Sanchez ran away on foot but was located and detained by bystanders and a state trooper.

Bannister-Sanchez was taken into custody and transported with non-life threatening injuries to Morton Hospital. He was released Monday night and taken to the state police's barracks in Middleboro.

The district attorney announced later Monday that Bannister-Sanchez is being charged with manslaughter, reckless motor vehicle homicide, and negligent motor vehicle homicide. He may be arraigned Tuesday in Taunton District Court, so long as he is medically cleared to be transported, the DA added. It was not immediately clear if Bannister-Sanchez had obtained an attorney who could speak to the charges.

An investigation is active and ongoing.