Police seize vehicle involved in fatal New Bedford hit-and-run

Frank Mulligan, The Standard-Times

Fri, January 2, 2026 at 7:49 PM UTC

2 min read

NEW BEDFORD — New Bedford Police say they have made a "critical breakthrough" in the hit-and-run killing of a 33-year-old New Bedford mother early on New Year's Day and have seized the vehicle involved.

Police say they "have identified, located, and seized the vehicle involved in this incident. We are continuing to piece together the events that took place during this terrible tragedy and anticipate that justice will be served swiftly."

New Bedford Police Chief Jason Thody stated on a social media post, “Our thoughts are with the family. This was a promising life cut short unnecessarily. I want to commend the work of our detectives and highlight the effectiveness of collaboration with the state police and District Attorney’s Office personnel thus far. Their expeditious work to bring justice to Nicolassa and her family exemplifies the compassion and dedication of all agencies involved.”

A GoFundMe has been established to cover memorial expenses and burial back in Guatemala for Nicolasa Ventura Colaj, the 33-year-old mother of three killed after leaving church shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day.

She was coming out of the service at Iglesia Pentecostal Unida Latinoamericana, 1805 Acushnet Ave., and was celebrating the New Year with her family.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, as Colaj crossed the roadway, she was struck by an SUV and thrown a distance. The SUV then fled the area.

Colaj was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Colaj is survived by her husband, Antonio Colaj Olmos, a 4-year-old daughter and two sons, ages 11 and 15.

A loving mother and God-fearing woman

She was remembered as “a loving mother and a God-fearing woman. When she entered a room she made everyone feel happy, she lightened up the mood always. Nicolasa was always smiling and she was generous. She was an exemplary and virtuous woman.”

Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores Executive Director Adrian Ventura said Nicolasa had been a member of CCT, which advocates for immigrant workers’ rights.

He said her death had caused great pain to her family and was a shock to the community. He called for solidarity and justice on her behalf.

Meeting to be held outside church Saturday

Ventura said a meeting would be held outside the church at 1805 Acushnet Ave. Saturday at 1 p.m. in support of justice for Nicolasa and to pray for her.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Police have 'breakthrough' in New Bedford fatal hit-and-run

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