Coventry family says justice wasn’t served in son’s death

March 8, 2019 3:29 pm

COVENTRY, R.I. (WLNE) — A Coventry mother says justice has not been served after her son was hit and killed by a plow driver in 2017. That driver was sentenced this week and it left the family of Matthew O’Gara speechless.

The man who hit and killed the 19 year old and left him on the side of the road will only have to spend 6 months in prison.

Time is difficult for Barbara O’Gara. The second anniversary of her son’s death just passed.

“I think its worse the second than the first. I miss his face. I just want to kiss that face,” says O’Gara.

On February 13, 2017, Matt O’Gara was hit and killed by a plow driver, Matthew Fallon. This week Fallon was sentenced to 8 years. But he’ll spend in prison is 6 months and four and a half years on home confinement. For the O’Garas, that’s not enough time.

“I still feel like Matt didn’t get the justice that he deserves. I just don’t understand how you can do those things and not pay for it,” says O’Gara.

Surveillance video from the night it happened shows Fallon driving away. The thought of her only son left alone s the worst part.

“It’s been a real nightmare for me. I struggle with that all the time. It’s not like Matt could move to go get help for himself so for him to just be there all alone, I struggle with that a lot,” she says.

But through it all she’s focused on change. Doing what she can to advocate for stiffer penalties for drivers who leave an accident.

“If my son taught me anything it was love. So I want to be more like him and spread awareness around that,” she says.

Last year Matt’s family and friends testified at a hearing for a bill that would impose harsher sentences, but it didn’t make it through the general assembly. They’re hoping with the right team of people new legislation will come together soon.