WORCESTER, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A man accused of fatally hitting and dragging a Milford motorcyclist in August 2011 was sentenced to up to 14 years in prison Monday.
Nicolas Guaman was also found guilty of manslaughter by motor vehicle, motor vehicle homicide and OUI negligent operation, reckless endangerment of a child, leaving the scene of personal injury or death, unlicensed driver, and failure to stop for police. He was found not guilty of murder.
A judge said Guaman's conduct was intentional before sentencing him to 12 years for motor vehicle manslaughter. Guaman was also given a concurrent sentence of 9 and 10 years for motor vehicle homicide, followed by 10 years probation.
The district attorney's officer recommended between 16 and 18 years on the manslaughter charge and 14 to 15 years to run concurrent to that charge for motor vehicle homicide.
Guaman's attorney requested a lesser sentence, citing an impoverished upbringing and saying their client is sorry for what happened.
Prosecutors claimed Guaman was drunk when he ran a stop sign and hit a motorcycle driven by 23-year-old Matthew Denice. Witnesses told police Denice was stuck in the wheel well of Guaman's truck and dragged, despite people chasing the truck, banging on the sides, and screaming at the driver to stop.
Denice's family spoke in support of a long sentence Monday. His mother, Maureen Maloney, was in tears as she held up a photo and said, "This is my son." Maloney said her world was shattered after her son's death, adding that she worries constantly when her husband and other son leave the house.
Guaman's trial was delayed several times due to interpreter issues. He is from Ecuador and speaks a very rare dialect. The 37-year-old was living in the U.S. illegally and the death sparked a fierce debate in Massachusetts about immigration enforcement.
Cox Media Group
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