Somerset man dedicates holiday display to OUI crash victims
Dec 18, 2024
SOMERSET, Mass. — It's been nearly a year since a wrong-way crash claimed the lives of an elderly couple and their grandson.
Donna, Floriano and Jacoby Arruda were on their way home Christmas night and were crossing the Veterans Memorial Bridge when their car was hit head-on by an oncoming vehicle.
REPORT: Suspect in deadly Christmas crash failed field sobriety tests
Floriano, 73, and Jacoby, 15, were pronounced dead within 24 hours of the crash, and Donna, 68, succumbed to her injuries a few days later.
The man believed to be responsible for the crash, 41-year-old Adam Gauthier, has since been charged with operating under the influence after admitting to having a couple of glasses of wine at a family gathering.
Jason Hill's home is less than a mile away from where the deadly crash happened. Each year, he decorates his front yard not only to spread holiday cheer, but also to collect donations for local charities.
But this year, Hill decided to dedicate his display to the Arruda family.
"With this being a Christmas display ... I just felt like it made the most sense to dedicate this season to them," Hill explained.
Donna, Floriano and Jacoby Arruda (Courtesy: Attorney Kevin Phelan)
Donna Arruda's children, Lisa Napert and Carl Rebello, visited Hill's display Wednesday night.
"She's probably in her glory right now ... because she would have wanted her house to look like this," Napert said of her mother.
"I can picture her smiling and just taking pictures," Rebello added.
Napert said Christmas was her mom's favorite holiday.
"It was when our whole family got together," she said.
Hill, who told 12 News his display attracts hundreds of visitors each season, is collecting donations for the Jacoby Memorial Foundation.
"It's touching to know that there are people out there that have big hearts," Napert said, referring to Hill.
SEE ALSO: 2024’s best holiday light shows & displays in RI, Mass.
Napert and Rebello said that efforts like these are making this difficult season a little bit easier for them.
"It's something we hope no one really has to ever go through, but we know it does go on in this world, and it's nice to see how thoughtful and loving people are," Rebello said.
Hill said he will be hosting a special holiday gathering Saturday night at his home off of Patton Avenue, complete with hot chocolate, doughnuts and a visit from Santa himself. Those interested in swinging by can do so between 6-8 p.m.
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