Man, Involved in West Main Road Crash, Dies From Injuries

Joseph Hayes, 32, of Taunton, MA, died Friday from his injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident earlier this week, Portsmouth police announced Friday afternoon. 

Hayes was seriously injured after a head-on collision that occurred on West Main Road near King's Grant before 5:30 a.m. Wednesday. 

The collision involved four-vehicles, according to a press release from the Portsmouth Police Department. 

According to the press release, a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta was operating northbound on West Main Road when it crossed over the double yellow lines and sideswiped a 2006 Toyota Solara.

The Toyota Solara, operated by Suzette Wilcox, 49, of Warren, was traveling southbound on West Main Road. 

"After colliding with the Solara, the Volkswagen then struck a 2007 Chevy Silverado pickup truck head-on, also travelling south on West Main Road," according to the press release.

The Chevy pickup truck was being operated by Andrew Muller, 53, of Portsmouth. 

A fourth vehicle, a 2007 Toyota Prius, operated by 62-year-old Margaret Pimenta of Somerset, MA, was traveling behind the pickup truck. This vehicle was also involved in the collision, according to police. 

"The operator of the Volkswagen Jetta needed to be extricated from the vehicle by the Portsmouth Fire Department. The operator of the Jetta was a 32-year-old male with a last known address of Taunton, MA," according to the release. 

The victim, Hayes, was transported by ambulance to Newport Hospital and later to Rhode Island Hospital. 

The accident remains under investigation.