We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Gail Lopes of Tiverton, who lost her life in a wrong-way driving collision on the evening of November 13, 2025.
According to investigators, she was driving a white Toyota sedan and entered the eastbound lanes of Interstate 195 in Somerset heading westbound.
First responders arrived to find three vehicles involved; the two occupants of the correct-direction vehicles suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The communities of Tiverton and Somerset are in mourning. For many who knew Gail, she was a familiar and friendly presence someone whose kindness and daily interactions left a subtle but lasting mark.
Friends remember her as someone who cared for her neighborhood, who participated quietly and reliably in local events, and who made time for moments of connection. In the wake of this sudden loss, neighbors are reflecting on the fragility of life, and how a single moment on the road can have permanent, devastating consequences.
The incident itself remains under active investigation. The Massachusetts State Police, working with the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, are examining the sequence of events and causes of the wrong-way maneuver.
Meanwhile, community members are grappling with the uncertainty. Questions are forming: How did a vehicle end up traveling the wrong way? Could this have been prevented? What can be done to protect others? Because the investigation is ongoing, many answers remain elusive.
In gatherings throughout both towns, there is a consistent theme: the call for greater roadway safety and awareness.
Many point to the heart-stopping nature of a wrong-way crash those travelling in the correct direction cannot always avoid suddenly encountering on-coming traffic in their lane.
A dash-cam video that circulated shows the Toyota sedan barreling the wrong direction just moments before the fatal impact.
For the families of the other drivers involved, the shock is profound they escaped life-threatening injury, yet remain deeply affected by what could so easily have been far worse.
In Tiverton, the strong sense of community means that Gail’s absence will be felt deeply. Whether neighbors waved at her as she walked the street, or friends chatted with her at community functions, she was a piece of a network of care and familiarity.
Her passing underscores how quickly things can change, and how important it is for each of us to drive attentively, obey signage, and stay vigilant especially on high-speed roadways like Interstate 195, where the margin for error is distressingly small.
As the investigation continues, the community holds Gail’s memory in their hearts. They hope for clarity answers about what happened and for a measure of closure so that friends and neighbors can begin to heal.
At the same time, the loss is a call to action: to ensure that something like this does not happen again.
Town leaders and residents alike are being asked to consider safety matters such as signage, lighting, lane markings, public awareness campaigns, and perhaps additional technology to alert drivers to wrong-way entries.
In this difficult time, the thoughts of the community in both Tiverton and Somerset are with Gail’s family, friends, and all who knew her.
Though the outcome is tragic, there remains a commitment to honor her life by advocating for safer roads, and by supporting one another through grief and reflection.
