New Bedford was shaken late Friday night when 23-year-old Ruby Alexandra Quiroa Santos lost her life on Route 18 North after a sudden and tragic chain of events that began with a disabled car and ended in heartbreak. What should have been a brief roadside delay turned into a deadly scene that left one sister dead, another fighting to heal, and a family changed forever.
According to authorities, the crash happened around 9:15 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, just north of the Hillman Street on-ramp. Snow partially covered the left lane, making driving conditions risky. Ruby was behind the wheel of a 2020 Toyota Camry when the vehicle broke down on the highway, forcing her to stop along the roadway.
A 2018 Audi A4 carrying several people pulled over to help. Shortly after, two New Bedford police Ford Explorers arrived on scene with emergency lights flashing, creating a small pocket of safety in the dark stretch of road. It was one of those moments where strangers and first responders came together, trying to do the right thing.
As Ruby and her sister Selina walked toward the Audi, a northbound 2018 Honda Accord suddenly slammed into them. The impact also struck the Audi and one of the police cruisers. The force of the crash sent shockwaves through the scene, injuring multiple people in seconds.
Ruby was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead the following day, January 31. Selina suffered critical injuries but was later listed in stable condition. Several others involved were treated for minor injuries and were expected to recover, officials said.
Massachusetts State Police, along with the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, are leading the investigation. As of now, no charges have been announced, and investigators continue to piece together exactly how the crash unfolded on that snowy stretch of Route 18.
In the days since, grief has poured out from family and friends. Ruby’s younger sister, Jakelin Quiroa, started a GoFundMe titled “Honoring Ruby Alexandra Quiroa Santos” to help cover funeral and memorial expenses. She described Ruby as caring, loving, and hardworking, a young woman with big dreams of opening her own car shop one day.
The fundraiser also shared how Ruby carried her mother’s warm, welcoming spirit and had a smile that could light up any room. As of February 6, the campaign had raised more than $31,000, offering some relief to a family suddenly facing loss, medical bills, and the heavy cost of saying goodbye.
