A repeat drunken driver is being held on $250,000 cash bail after prosecutors said he left the scene of a fatal motorcycle crash in Wareham while intoxicated on his birthday on Friday.
Raymond Cardoza, 67, of West Wareham, pleaded not guilty in Wareham District Court on Monday to charges that he was drunk and behind the wheel when he struck and killed motorcyclist Jordan Hansen, 25, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz said.
Cardoza is facing one count each of driving under the influence manslaughter; driving under the influence, 4th offense; leaving the scene of an accident resulting in personal injury or death; and driving with a suspended license.
Prosecutors had asked that Cardoza be held on $1 million cash bail.
Judge Teresa Lamarre set bail at $250,000 with conditions that if Cardoza makes bail he wear a GPS monitoring bracelet, be home confined, and use a Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring, or SCRAM device three times per day.
At approximately 5:05 p.m. Friday, Wareham Police received multiple 911 calls for reports of a serious car vs. motorcycle crash in the vicinity of 2628 Cranberry Highway.
Wareham Police and Fire personnel responded and located Hansen, the motorcyclist, on the ground with life-threatening injuries.
He was taken to Tobey Hospital, before being transferred to St. Luke’s Hospital where he died as a result of his injuries, Cruz said.
The driver of a Toyota, later identified as Cardoza, and the Toyota were located a quarter mile from the crash scene, Cruz said. The Toyota had sustained damage consistent with a crash.
Wareham Police contacted the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to Cruz’s office.
Cardoza told investigators that it was his birthday on Friday, and when he woke up that morning he allegedly had 2 to 3 beers, Cruz said. He said he was headed to Walmart when the crash occurred.
“Multiple officers detected a strong odor of alcohol on Cardoza’s breath during interviews,” Cruz said in his statement.
Cardoza was arrested after investigators interviewed witnesses on scene.
Cardoza is next scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 27.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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