Dan, I completely 100% agree with you.

i said earlier on facebook that LEGAL immagrants i have nothing against because they did what they had to do legally to become a part of this country, but its those who just somehow get in by floating in on a raft or hopping the border... what not... if that sounds ignorant then so be it... Our ancestors came in through Ellis Island and Angel Island to become legal citizens , i dont get why these people cant do the same (as in go through the process)

Even if he was legal, I would hope you'd still talk about this. Him being an illegal immigrant is only one of the things he has against him. I mean, that adds to it, but there are about 464856385 other things he is charged with that is worth talking about

Very well said! My condolences to the Denice family. Let's not let this poor boy pass in vain. Something needs to be done! I just don't get why politicians are so dead set against sticking up for the laws. Illegal is Illegal. Honestly are politicians so afraid to offend the few that they turn their backs on the many? I am dumbfounded and so completely angry about this. We need to send a message to our politicians and law enforcement officers. Thank you Dan Bruce and Marie Parente for having the guts to say and put in writing what most of us are thinking!

Well said, Dan, you said exactly what I would have. My family lived on Bancroft Avenue from 1979-1993 and there were a lot of kids in that neighborhood. Should we be thankful that Mr. Guaman didn't mow down and kill kids playing in their yards and riding their bikes in his haste to escape? What makes me FURIOUS is that the police use the fact that this is a FEDERAL law to avoid enforcing it. Where is it written that law enforcement officers get to choose which laws to enforce? Let's make Matt's senseless and horrific death the motivation we need to FORCE these politicians to pay attention to ALL the laws. I'm sure the bleeding hearts will weigh in here, but let's face it, folks. There's a reason this country is in such dire financial straits and a HUGE part of that reason is the financial burden handing out welfare checks, food stamps and free medical care to illegal immigrants has placed on an already overtaxed system. We just can't afford it. And please do not come and tell me that these people have rights - they have the right to a bus ticket back to where they came from and nothing else as far as I'm concerned.

Very well said and I couldn't agree more with you. N the saddest part is there is going to be no justice for Matt because this illegal will maybe sit in ICE jail for. Couple years then be deported back to Equador n be told he's not allowed back in the country but we all know he will find his way back. No your nit racist just honest

While I was in the us marine corps. My vest friend I served with spent 4 years and did 2 combat deployment to Iraq and afghanistan while me was a resident alien and didn't get his citizenship until he was a few months out of being honorably discharged from the marines.. If he has to fight and shed blood and tears for our belonged country how do these people come here on a simple work visa and stay after they expire and still get benefits from state and federal government??? My buddy fought for his right to live here and struggle to get by like the rest of us.. How should they get it 'aw it's alright to stay and we'll give you money' and he has to continue to live pay check to pay check after his honorable service to our country??? I have been completely disappointed and sickened by the state or our government when I returned to the civilian world.. What did we fight for??

I would gladly do it again like I know everyone who I services with would in a heart beat.. And sorry for the typos .. I'm handling a death of a friend how every marine knows how.. Drinking.. But with a designed driver

I know people are angry, and very amped up about illegal immigration. It's a problem that every leader in our country has refused to deal with and certainly can get everyone very angry. I just don't think we should singularly focus on correlating this man's death directly to illegal immigration. Everyone is obviously upset because we are a tight community. I just don't think in this situation it should be the only correlation. I think now everyone is getting into the trap of what if's? For example, If it was raining out maybe this poor guy wouldn't have rode his bike, so therefore I blame the nice weather for this tragedy. What about the Milford Police? Does anyone think we have the right to criticize them for not preventing this situation? It was documented in the Milford Daily News Guaman's family called the police an hour before the crash to report that he had left a party intoxicated with a child and got in a vehicle. Could the Milford Police simply not find the vehicle? An hour is more than enough time to scour the town for a report like this. Do you think there should be precedent for a child in danger? So I think this guy Guaman is obviously a reckless individual and will pay for what he did to his victim. I agree with everyone illegal immigration is a serious issue, let's just not make it the central focus. This situation can also be framed in multiple different contexts. Let's just be there for our community, and ask what we can do to help.

Yes, and my argument is that it is not the only thing that could have been changed to prevent this. A number of things need to occur in order for things like this to happen, and focusing in on just one of them, could also lead us to ignoring other important factors. And I stand by my criticism of the police, what does everyone think of this?

one of them that eliminates the rest of them michael, if he isnt there it doesnt happen.

One could also ask why his family let him get behind the wheel when he had been drinking heavily, why didn't they just take his keys away (especially since they weren't HIS keys, since it wasn't his truck).

Dan, it's clear that you continue to miss the real point behind this case. I'm not sure if you have any interest in politics or editorial writing, but your reluctance to look past this one case shows that you are both politically and logically naive. Yes, deporting this one man in this one instance would have saved Matthew's life. We can all agree this would have been ideal. But what beyond then. Do we deport all illegal immigrants in hopes of perhaps saving another life? Or do we focus on the very real danger of drunk driving that is the biggest threat to more lives on the road? The accident was not committed because he was an illegal immigrant, but because his driving was severely impaired so he ran over an innocent driver. His being unlicensed does not reflect on his driving abilities - there are a number of unlicensed drivers who happen to be proficient drivers while driving through the streets of Milford on any given day will show you that having a license does not a good driver make. Your mother's implying that he ran from the cops because he was illegal is conjecture - only he knows the real reason why he ran - surely just as many legal residents who drive drunk and have their thought process impaired also try to flee the scene. But being drunk behind the wheel will 100% guarantee impaired driving. If more accidents like this are to be prevented, action needs to be taken against drunk drivers who populate our roads every day rather than inciting unnecessary prejudice.

I don't think we can speculate what happened that lead up to that man leaving the house. We do know that his family called the police in attempt to stop him.

Very nicely written article.

Want to see how your lawmakers vote? AND YES " I " do understand that drunk driving is never acceptable ... and is illegal ... and why Matt was hit ... but after the tragedy should come justice ... and that is where our laws don't protect the victims ... illegal is illegal is illegal ... whether it's coming to ths country or driving drunk or both ... Secure communities will save lives. the Milford tragedy compells reconsideration. Heres the last roll call: http://ping.fm/PH2uG Mapoli ((( Read another story similar to Matts. His name is Richard Grossi and his family knows all too well )))

Its very clear that you are set in your ways and continue to not see my point. I never once stated that you support drunk driving and I'm a little bewildered that you would imply that as its nowhere in my comments. I also never implied immigration laws should not be enforced, but you seem to have a very uninformed view of both immigration law and the naturalization process (it's not as simple as you seem to believe). What I have repeatedly been saying is that you are ignoring the pertinent issue, which remains true, as the article here does not so much as mention the driver's drunken state at the time of the crash (an omission that is so glaring, I'm amazed I didn't notice sooner). You continue to repeat the facts of the story - "He is illegal. Against the law. Would have been deported" - but this is already common knowledge, so you ultimately have nothing new to really say about this or similar cases, which makes this "article" superfluous. Would you be moved to write something if the driver had been a legal resident, but still intoxicated and behind the wheel? Surely, the tragedy would remain, but as you say yourself, this is simply an immigration issue to you. Matthew's life could have been saved by that detail, but many others will die because of the dangers of drunk driving just as he did. Instead of working to save those, we are focusing on one meandering and strictly specific issue that will not prevent more accidents like this one. And inevitably, we'll be here again.

Dan please don't lower yourself to argue with him. That is what he craves...attention. "Never argue with an idiot, they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". We all know what your point is and it was very articulately written. Many feel as you do.

Wow, well said Robert n Concerne Citizen, I support your comments 100%. N for Dan Bruce I know the whole comunity is beyond mad, u keep making it an imigration issue. Illegal or legal the man was drunk, the day before the accident her was still ilegal n maybe not driving drunk but he dint get in to an accident. The main problem is driving while been drunk. stop concentrating in the been ilegal only issue.

Maybe if it were put this way: Stop driving drunk ... and if you do drive drunk, you will be punished to the full extent ... and not deported to another country to live free ?

Concerned Citezen- Yes Deport them all! There are legal was to enter the Country as my Grandparents did 90 years ago.. Plain and simple a law us a law !

I agree that part of the problem is that he was drunk driving, BUT he wouldn't have been here if he was deported for his first crime. AND the poor boy was still alive when he hit him. It was because he was fleeing the scene that Matthew was killed. I understand the seriousness of drunk driving, for the legal citizens who are caught there are consequences. For illegals there are none. Had there been consequences for Guaman the 1st few times of committing a crime he would have been deported. Have you looked at the police log from the Milford Daily News or the Patch? A great majority of the people being pulled over are unlicensed and why is that? If they were licensed there would be consequences. Now google those same names and see how many other prior incidents they had. And the beat goes on. I googled Guaman in Milford and at least 4 Guamans have been pulled over more than 1 time for the same thing. Do we have to wait until the other 3 kill someone drunk driving before they get deported? That is the argument a great majority of us are trying to make. BTW one of the Guamans (Luis) went on to kill a mother and her baby in Brockton last year. He wasn't pulled over (that I could tell) for drunk driving....but unlicensed driving....aka Illegal. Had he been deported those 2 precious souls would still be alive as well. Illegal means Illegal.

I am not a big blogger but I feel like I should point out a few other issues involving Illegal immigrants in the area. This tragic incident was the straw that broke the camels back. It would be wonderful to not have to bring citizenship into this. To not turn this into a political issue, but unfortunately this horrific crime has struck a nerve with the already fed up area residents. These residents who make Milford, Framingham, and other sanctuary cities there home are dealing with their weekly garbage being scoured for social security numbers, prescriptions and god know what else. They are dealing with over crowded apartment buildings and flop houses. Bed Bug infestations. The conversion of their downtown from a variety of small businesses to mostly Brazilian store fronts. Let's talk about welfare. I have a friend who is in legitimate need of assistance (like many are). She has worked since she was able to an paid taxes into the system. She applied for SNAP (food stamps) this past winter. In the waiting room she witnessed 2 ecuadorian women ignore the name "christina" being called multiple times. at the elbow of the other one of the women jumped up and had her interview. She left with food stamps in hand. My friend, well she (and her 4 month old baby) were initially denied for making just over the amount allowed.

She returned later and was thankfully approved when she provided more info. Another person I spoke to was at the DTA 2 days ago and saw 2 Ecuadorians state they did not have a ss number and they too left with food stamps.
I have spent a day every year renewing a restraining order in the milford court house. Every year I spend a good hour of that time watching droves of unlicensed, unregistered, uninsured, non english speaking people get arraigned and then postponed to second call while they await a translator. Lets talk about jobs. If you would like employment at McDonald's or Market basket you will have to compete with a large Ecuadorian population. Yes these people who are not inoculated the way you and I are practically required to be are handling your food. How about a local thrift store I LOVE to donate to and shop at! They will give you what ever you need if you are in need and receiving assistance. I have over the years watched them give away cribs, furniture and other items to Illegal Immigrants because they come in with letters from welfare. The Problem is they leave in BRAND NEW 20-30K vehicles. They leave with their infants sitting on their laps, and their toddlers crawling around the back seat. This isn't about drunk driving you are right. This incident too the tape off the mouths of the citizens who have kept their mouth shut for too long.

Heather – I agree with you 1,000%! Concerned Citizen, Michael, Robert - we understand that this was first and foremost a DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT. Trust me, we get it. A horrific, tragic accident at the hands of a drunk driver who didn't even have the decency to STOP and then tried to flee because (and I am just guessing here) he knew he was in a lot of trouble.

However, how can you expect anyone to ignore the elephant in the room - this man IS an ILLEGAL alien. Plain and simple. How many times are our citizens going to DIE at the hands of the thousands of ILLEGALS in the town of Milford? I can tell you that one time is already way too many, but unfortunately we are already up to THREE!

Our town is falling apart. Everyday in the police log there is AT LEAST one entry about people being pulled over for various driving offenses – driving without a license being the most prevalent offense. Please look at the entry from yesterday… “11:10 a.m.: Following a motor vehicle stop, police are seeking a summons to charge Maria Delfina Pomaquiza-Lema, 26, of 10 Fayette St., Apt. 3, Milford, with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.”
How many are willing to wager on whether or not Maria has ever taken a basic driving course? And really, Maria, getting into a car knowing your are unlicensed and following this tragic accident? That’s just unbelievable.
My parents and I immigrated to this country when I was only 5 years old. I can probably recite immigration laws backwards and forwards. My parents were hard workers who assimilated into society seamlessly. Their one desire was to never be a burden to the town they lived in and to the people they worked for. The immigrant of today (and I do mean ILLEGAL immigrant) clearly doesn’t seem to employ the same mentality. Perhaps it’s time to shift the focus from building a casino and instead addressing the REAL problems facing the town.

one more thing. Was it wrong to question homeland security after 911 or to be angry with terrorism? Did that dishonor the victims? Was it wrong to be upset look at school bullying after a girl killed herself, to push for change? When tragic events occur people are most often, shocked, angered, and driven to stop or make a change and that is exactly what is going on here. It isn't meant to take away from what this poor family is going through. It isn't meant to not focus on drunk driving...we already have stringent laws in place, short of banning alcohol all together. What we do not have under control is a large population of citizens who have multiple stolen identities making it hard to pin point who they really are, who could be criminals in their home land, and who don't have to pay fines, hospital bills, or even show back up in court because we don't really know who they are. Is it really so wrong that people want to get things under control? That this tragic loss sparred a movement for change?

I am hearing that Bill O'Reilly is doing a piece about this story on his show tonight.

The drunk drivers WIFE telephoned police and begged that they find and stop her husband-The Police had an hour and 15 minutes to find this guy who was DRIVING DRUNK with his 6 yr old child- Oh God, think of this! if only he'd been located Matt would still be alive today and thousands of hearts wouln't be broken by this tragedy-WHY IS THIS MOST PERTINENT FACT LOST in all the immigration talk????

Agree with you, Dan. I have written to both Senator Moore and Representative Fernandes, both support the Secure Communities program which may have prevented this horrible occurrence (prevented in the way that if there is no illegal driver, there is no accident).
The governor couldn't care any less about the people of Milford and our safety. Shame on him.

Just an aside:
Nicolas Dutan Guaman, of 10 Cherry St., Apt. 1, Milford, is charged with motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence of liquor and numerous other offenses.
And from the Police Log:Police arrested Cesar Leonardo Acosta Chiqui, 20, of 10 Cherry St., Apt. 2, Milford, on charges of furnishing a false name or social security number, and person under age 21 possessing alcohol.
Is the owner at 10 Cherry Street knowingly running his own sanctuary for illegal lawbreakers?

Well written Dan you made and very much on point. In the end the LAWS need to be enforced all of them!

The owner of 10 Cherry Street is a Franklin resident and I would guess is only concerned with collecting the rent. If you suspect a home in Milford or any other town is a safe haven for illegals, research by going to that towns website.

to Milford Resident: If you suspect a home in Milford or any other town is a safe haven for illegals, research by going to that towns website.
What would you suggest we look for and what would we do with this information?

The political aspects to this heinous crime are even more deplorable. For Governor Devil Patrick to even hint that it is OK to ignore a federal law is certainly not upholding his responsibility as Governor to keep the citizens of Massachusetts safe. And I mean citizens, not kowtowing to illegals immigrants just to garner votes - Prez Obama is now looking through the listings of detained illegals to determine who can stay!!! They will be granted citizenship and their dem votes will be bought. Meanwhile illegal immigrant criminals to roam our streets in Massachusetts. The Governor, and every other politician who did not speak up, has emboldened these 'illegal criminals'. The biligerence Guaman showed at this arrest is only a small example into the entitlement and arrogance some illegals embrace.

Teena you are 100% right. Our Gov. could not lead a kindergarden class never mind the state

Join NUMBERSUSA.ORG

The article was a fair and straightforward articulation of an important point of view. But the posts that follow quickly give way to the usual politicking and oversimplification of the complex issues that it raises. I have found, over the last week, that any mention of the complexity of these issues immediately results in accusations of being "pro" illegal. But my questions remain: Why is the blame for a young man's death immediately diluted among an entire population, illegal or not? Are those of you in favor of enforcing the immigration laws willing to spend the money to follow through--and I do NOT mean by getting rid of the fire department or public education? Mr. Bruce speaks of stating the facts--what about the fact, demonstrated repeatedly over the past week, that the aftermath of this crime has included the emergence of an unusually high level of racist commentary, extending the blame again, leading us even further from the actual tragedy of an innocent man's death? Mr Bruce, you say you are not interested in immigrants per se (that is, presumably, legal immigrants). What about the growing numbers of children of these illegals, born in this country, as legal as you or I--do you feel as strongly defensive of their rights (to stay, to participate in our nation) as you do for your own? Was Governor Romney so much better on enforcing the immigration laws than Deval Patrick? NO. And yet, the professional blamers and politickers use this death... Well, there's more, but...

Nobody ever mentions the Legal born Americans that drink an drive for the 3rd 0r 4th time an killed someone...or the Legally Born American that can have a lisence an chooses NOT too an drinks an drives an KILLS his 2 friends from Bellingham an only got sentenced to 3 yrs in jail. Or the Drunk drivers that are on their MULTI OFFENSE an have a breath alizer in their cars an have someone else blow to start their cars an Kill an inocent child chasing a ball. A few wks ago at the town hall when you guys were holding pickets I counted 3 people I new when I drove by that got caught Drunk Driving an 1 had their 2 children in the car when pulled over . Im sorry for what happened to Matt an they driver should DO HIS TIME IN THE USA ..LIFE SENTENCE !! This Newspaper should take down this article ENOUGH with the illegals an lets concentrate on DRUNK DRIVERS an all the DRUGS in Milford 1st.

Jim Rizoli CCFIILE.COM

MsKnowitall......We have plenty of our own drunk drivers and we really don't need anymore. Drunk driving is an issue no doubt with Americans, but the illegals just make it worse. So should we just ignore them and let them continue to drive?

Mr. Rozoli,
Please stop advertising your website on this patch.

This tragedy had NOTHING to do with immigration status. It was a drunk driver who killed that young man and ruined his families life. We have plenty of them in this country, legal and illegal. America is a country that embraces alcohol consumption whenever possible. His immigration status didnt put the liquor down his throat, his irresponsible drinking habits did. Drunk driving is rampant in America. That is where we need to focus to prevent this type of tragedy from happening again. Ask your local politicians to strengthen the laws for drunk driving and make the punishment fit the crime! This was a horrible tragedy of a drunken driver killing an innocent young man!

Ray I think we all agree that a drunk driver "murdered" this person. However he was illegal and had there been stronger immigration enforcements in place, he would not have been able to "murder" Matt because he would have been deported prior to this horrific crime. If you know the entire chain of events...Matt would also probably be alive today because he was alive after he was hit, his death was caused because Guaman was trying to leave the scene of the crime because of his status. That is where all the frustration lies!!!

I agree with Ray that the problem for Matthew Denice has far more to do with the fact that the accused was drunk, and that he made terrible decisions to 1) drive drunk and 2) not to stop after hitting the victim. As far as anybody claiming to know that the killer tried to leave the scene because of his status--I don't buy that at all. His being DRUNK is much more likely to be the reason for his trying to (and believing that he could) escape--drunk driving and hitting someone being, in the eyes of most people and in the eyes of the law, much worse than being illegal. And according to the "if he hadn't been in the country" logic, one might just as easily say that if the criminal here had benefited from a general amnesty for illegals, he would not have had to flee... But the crimes that directly caused the death of Matthew Denice were DRINKING AND DRIVING AND NOT STOPPING AFTER HITTING A PERSON. And no, I am still not in favor of illegal immigration, just in case you were inferring that...

I agree with Ray and David, too.

has a company called Donovan services that owns several dunkin donuts and they have some in milford ,acton and clinton has many illegal and bad starting with general manager her name and Geiza (Brazilian) he does not respect anyone how to report these people .