NEW BEDFORD — The victim of a fatal crash on Route 18 in New Bedford early Friday morning has been identified.

New Bedford police said 71-year-old city resident Robert Jorge lost his life in the crash.

The two-vehicle crash took place at around 7:15 a.m. Friday at the intersection of Route 18 south and Elm Street, with southbound highway traffic temporarily diverted from the scene.

Jorge was critically injured in the incident, and was later pronounced dead at St. Luke’s Hospital, according to police.

The second driver sustained minor injuries.

New Bedford and state police continue to investigate the incident.