GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — A Rhode Island man has pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to a crash involving several motorcycles in May of 2022, and was sentenced to prison on Monday.
Ryan O’Farrell, 34, of Westerly, Rhode Island had been arrested after he veered into the oncoming lane on Route 10 in Northfield crashing into five motorcycles, causing serious injuries to eight people who were either operating or passengers on the motorcycles. O’Farrell originally pleaded not guilty to all changes.
On Monday, O’Farrell entered a guilty plea to operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs, negligent operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs resulting in serious bodily injury (5 counts), endangerment of a child under 14 by operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs (2 counts), negligent operation of a motor vehicle, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury (5 counts), assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon (2 counts), and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
O’Farrell was sentenced to 9-12 years in state prison in Franklin Superior Court.
“Some of the victims lost limbs, livelihood, and are now confronted with very different futures than they would have enjoyed before that day. These futures, thrust upon them by O’Farrell, are days and nights of acute pain, economic uncertainty, and emotional trauma,” Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Matthew Thomas said.