Contact: Beth Stone 508-584-8120
WAREHAM – A delivery truck driver has been convicted on charges that he struck and killed a motorcyclist in Middleboro in 2017, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.
After a two-day trial in Wareham District Court, a jury deliberated an hour late yesterday afternoon before finding Tony Hourani (DOB: 09/17/87) guilty of Motor Vehicle Homicide by Negligent Operation. Judge Shelby Smith sentenced Hourani to serve 18 months in the House of Corrections, suspended for five years of probation with the condition that Hourani not operate a motor vehicle without a valid license. Hourani’s license to operate a motor vehicle is revoked for a period of 15 years.
On October 21, 2017, at approximately 12:35 pm, 24 year-old Michael Garner was riding his motorcycle southbound in the vicinity of 190 Bedford Street in Middleboro when he was struck by a box truck driven by Hourani. Garner was thrown from his motorcycle and determined to be deceased on scene. Middleboro Police contacted State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and an investigation commenced.
Through interviews with neighbors in the area of Bedford Street and accident reconstruction performed by the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section, investigators determined that Hourani was stationary in the driveway of #190 Bedford Street when he pulled out into the roadway attempting to make a left-hand turn and failed to yield to oncoming traffic from the southbound lane. Garner was traveling in the southbound lane and was unable to avoid impact with the box truck. Hourani stayed at the scene and spoke to police.
“Before sentencing, Mr. Garner’s heart-broken family spoke lovingly about their son and the many milestones that they miss out on with him gone,” DA Cruz said. “On that day in 2017, many lives were changed forever. I am hopeful that this family can find peace and hold their memories of Mr. Garner close.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Courtney Fogarty and was investigated by State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and Middleboro Police.
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