Milford Woman, Mother of Matthew Denice Opposes Proposed Driving Bill

A Milford woman whose son was struck and killed by an undocumented driver two years ago has spoken out against a bill that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses, according to MyFoxBoston.

Supporters of the new Safe Driving Bill, or Bill H.3285, pose that it would make drivers safer because illegal immigrants would have to be trained in the rules of the road and pass written and road tests before getting a license, according to the Fox report. A hearing regarding the bill was originally set for Wednesday, Feb. 5, but was postponed to March due to this week's snow storm.

Milford resident Maureen Maloney has spoken out against the bill, according to Fox. Maloney's son, Matthew Denice, a Framingham State University graduate, was struck and killed on Aug. 20, 2011 while riding his motorcycle on Congress Street in Milford, where he was allegedly struck by Nicolas Guaman, an illegal immigrant from Ecuador, and dragged down the road when the driver failed to stop. 

"There's a part of me that doesn't want my son to be the poster child for illegal immigrant issues," Maloney told Fox. "I never thought it was going to happen to me […] These are not law abiding people. These are people that have to break the laws to survive so they're not going to sudden start obeying our laws."

Guaman pleaded not guilty in Milford District Court last August to charges of operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor, negligent operation, leaving the scene of personal injury and death, possession of an open container of alcohol in a vehicle, failure to stop for police, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stop or held, resisting arrest and wanton or reckless conduct creating risk to a child. Guaman's 6-year-old son was reportedly in his truck at the time of the incident, according to police. 

In November, a Superior Court judge found Guaman competent to be tried in the death of Denice. The issue of Guaman's competency was first raised by his attorneys in 2012. 

A conviction of second degree murder, the most serious charge facing Guaman, would carry a maximum sentence of 15 years. Moloney previously said that a plea agreement would likely result in a shorter sentence and reduced charges, and the family wants a trial.

Guaman's trial is scheduled for April 3. 

Visit MyFoxBoston.com for more on Moloney's views on the bill.