Suspect in deadly DUI arraigned

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) - A man was hit and killed while crossing the street over the weekend. The driver accused of being drunk at the time is now being held on $5,000 bail.

The suspect, Rui Gomes, is facing charges of OUI, and driving without a license. At his arraignment Monday afternoon, the court automatically entered a plea of not guilty. New Bedford police say the victim, who friends refer to as Tommy, was struck by a minivan after he left a bar on Purchase Street in New Bedford Saturday night.

Outside the courtroom Monday, the victims' friends told Eyewitness News they can't believe they lost their friend.

"Tommy was the best friend you could ever ask for. He was the type of guy that if you asked him for help, he would always do it with a smile. And he'd make the most miserable job fun," says John Souza, friend of the victim.

The arraignment for Rui Gomes had to be delayed while the court waited for a language translator to arrive.