Braga Bridge, Rhode Island — Gail Lopes Dies in Wrong-Way Collision on Interstate 195
Braga Bridge, Rhode Island — Gail Lopes Dies in Wrong-Way Collision on Interstate 195
Braga Bridge, Rhode Island — Gail Lopes, a 69-year-old resident of Tiverton, tragically lost her life Thursday evening after driving the wrong way on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 195, resulting in a collision with two oncoming vehicles. The incident occurred around 7:45 p.m., just after multiple 911 calls reported a vehicle traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes. Despite warnings, the crash unfolded before authorities could intervene.
Witnesses and dash-cam footage captured the terrifying moments as Lopes’s white Toyota continued toward oncoming traffic. Other drivers swerved sharply to avoid impact, narrowly escaping collisions themselves. The footage, obtained by a local news station, shows the chaos and danger posed to everyone on the bridge. Moments before the crash, one driver even contacted authorities to report the erratic vehicle, highlighting how quickly the situation escalated beyond control.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies arrived promptly to a scene littered with debris and three damaged vehicles. Both drivers of the oncoming vehicles sustained injuries but were reported in stable condition, with non-life-threatening injuries, and transported to nearby hospitals. The incident required lane closures on the Braga Bridge for several hours while investigators documented evidence, spoke with witnesses, and coordinated a response to the unusual and dangerous circumstances.
State police collision reconstruction specialists are currently reviewing all available evidence, including camera footage, vehicle damage, and statements from witnesses. At this time, no official cause has been determined for why Lopes was traveling in the wrong direction. Officials have urged drivers to remain vigilant, especially on highways and bridges where maneuvering space is limited, and to immediately report erratic driving to authorities to prevent similar tragedies.
For the survivors, the crash is more than a physical event. Witnesses describe the shock and trauma of seeing headlights barreling toward them in their own lanes, a moment that may stay with them long after injuries have healed. Local authorities and counseling services have emphasized the need for support in processing the emotional impact of witnessing such a frightening incident.
Gail Lopes is remembered as a Tiverton resident whose life came to a tragic and unexpected end in a preventable incident. Family, friends, and the community are left to grapple with the sudden loss while investigators seek to determine the circumstances that led to this wrong-way collision. Her passing is a solemn reminder of the dangers of highways and the critical importance of vigilance on the road.
As authorities continue their review and families recover from both the physical and emotional trauma, the community mourns and reflects on the fragility of life in such high-speed environments. The incident underscores the necessity for safety awareness and the responsibility all drivers share in maintaining control, attention, and care while traveling on busy roadways.
Our thoughts remain with Gail Lopes’s family, the injured survivors, and all those impacted by this devastating incident.
