WORCESTER, Mass. (WHDH) — Illegal immigrant, Nicolas Guaman, accused of hitting and killing a man on his motorcycle was deemed fit to stand trial on Tuesday.
The deadly crash happened two years ago, in Milford. Investigators say the driver was drunk, hit Matthew Denise a 23-year-old recent college grad, and dragged him about a half mile.
“I don't know this makes it much worse other than I want to see justice for my son,” said Maureen Maloney, victim's mother.
Two years after the fatal crash, Nicholas Guaman was back before a judge. Prosecutors say Guaman, behind the wheel of a pickup truck, struck Denise who was on a motorcycle and dragged him to his death.
Back in April, a judge ruled Guaman wasn’t competent to stand trial because the immigrant from Ecuador speaks the language of Central American and couldn’t understand the legal proceedings in the U.S.
However, after working with an educator for several months, the judge now says he is competent.
“It was tough for us sitting in limbo, waiting for him to become competent, when he committed this crime,” said Michael Denise, victim's brother.
Guaman’s attorney says his client feels terrible about what happened.
“He has told us many times, ‘I’m not an evil person. I’m not a bad person. Something bad happened,’” said Peter Ettenberg, defense attorney.
“The only comfort I get from this situation is that in Matthew's death maybe we can save other lives,” said the victim’s mother.
The judge’s decision clears the way for a second-degree murder trial to get underway next year. Guaman faces life behind bars.