Matthew Denice: Mom remembers 23-year-old who was dragged a quarter mile to his death by DUI driver 9 years ago
The Angel family of Matthew Denice, 23, mourned his death on Thursday, August 20, which marks nine years since his passing. Back in 2011, Denice was struck by an illegal immigrant, Nicolas Dutan Guaman, on August 20 when Guaman who was driving without a license, ran a stop sign and struck Denice. At the time, Denice had been riding his motorcycle in Milford, Massachusetts.
Instead of stopping, Guaman had driven on, dragging Denice for a quarter of a mile. Several eyewitnesses had tried to make Guaman stop his vehicle. According to Wickedlocal, Guaman who hails from Ecuador had been driving drunk in a pickup truck.
After striking Denice, Guaman had tried to flee the scene with Denice getting lodged in the wheel in the process. As reported by Breitbart, Guaman's son, 6, was in the car along with him. In 2014, Guaman was convicted of motor vehicle homicide, manslaughter by motor vehicle, reckless endangerment of a child, failing to stop for police, driving without a license, and leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in the death of a person.
In the case of Denice's death, Guaman was sentenced to just 12 to 14 years in prison which made him eligible for release within six years. In 2016, the accused even tried to get his conviction turned.
It has now been nine years since Denice's death. His mother, Angel Mom Maureen Maloney took to Twitter to share, "On this day 9 years ago my heart was shattered beyond repair when my son Matthew was taken from us. And I can’t help but wonder what his life would look like today."
On this day 9 years ago my heart was shattered beyond repair when my son Matthew was taken from us. And I can’t help but wonder what his life would look like today. pic.twitter.com/dh4WvscM9E
— Maureen Maloney (@MaureenMaloney5) August 20, 2020
The group Advocates for Victims of Illegal Alien Crime (AVIAC) also shared a statement, "Today we are asking for prayers for our VP [Maureen Maloney] who has to deal with yet another Angelversary of her son Matthew’s death, caused by an illegal alien."
"Matthew’s life mattered and we will never forget," the post continued.
Many social media users commented on Maureen's Twitter post and offered their prayers and condolences. One such user had written, "From one survivor Mom to another, I am truly sorry for your loss. May God bind up your heart and draw you close to Him. We will see our sons again someday."
From one survivor Mom to another, I am truly sorry for your loss. May God bind up your heart and draw you close to Him. We will see our sons again some day.
— Fantastic_Paradigm (@MYKIDSEZMOM) August 21, 2020
Another added, "Prayers. That's something we always wonder. Damn shame." Yet another chimed in, "As an Ecuadorian, I feel ashamed and appalled to learn about the passing of your son, I'm sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace."
Prayers. Thats something we always wonder. Damn shame
— angel mom Laura Wilkerson (@ljwilk5) August 20, 2020
As an ecuadorian, I feel ashamed and appalled to learn about the passing of your son, I'm sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.
— Mike (@AlucardAFT3003) August 21, 2020
According to Masslive.com, Denice's stepfather Michael Maloney had said back in 2014, "I’m biased in this… I see him as doing life. He’s a threat to any society he’s in, not just here in America, anywhere. He shows no remorse."
Denice's brother, Michael had said, "The thoughts of the pain, torture, and suffering he went through the last 90 seconds of his life are something I am going to have to deal with forever." Denice's family had praised the judge for being fair but had said they disagree with the ruling.
They wanted Guaman to be sentenced with second-degree murder which carries a life sentence.