South Hadley man sentenced in 2022 crash that killed Easthampton couple

Saying “this was done by a good person to good people” -- and noting that she did not make the sentence lightly -- Northampton District Court Judge Jacklyn M. Connly today sentenced a South Hadley man to one year in the Hampshire House of Correction, suspended for five years while he is on probation.

Stuart A. Larkin, 65, pleaded guilty to two counts of negligent motor vehicle homicide in connection with the deaths of Edward O. Hanlon Jr., 81 and Ilona L. Murray, 60 on Route 10 in Easthampton in August of 2022. Larkin was driving a car that struck the couple shortly after they had exited a PVTA bus and were walking across the roadway.

In making her brief sentencing comment, Connly echoed comments made by both Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Matthew Thomas and Springfield defense attorney Joseph Bernard, each of whom noted the devastation the deaths caused the victims’ family and friends as well as the genuine remorse and cooperation of Larkin following the accident.

The sentence means that Larkin will not serve jail time as long as he stays out of trouble with the law. Connly also ordered Larkin to perform 200 hours of community service “in honor of the victims and their family.”

The victims, both residents of Easthampton, were well-known volunteers for the Manna free meals program in Northampton.

Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Matthew Thomas, representing the Commonwealth in the case, had recommended a sentence of two years in the House of Correction, one year for each victim.

“While we understand Mr. Larkin feels badly for the killing of Mr. Hanlon and Ms. Murray and commend him for cooperating with the police during the initial stages of the investigation, we cannot ignore the loss felt by the family of the deceased and the loss to the community in general,” ADA Thomas wrote in a sentencing recommendation memo. “The killing in this case, as is often the case in a negligent killing, was of good people by a good person.”

Bernard asked for a suspended sentence and no direct jail time, saying his client has been sincerely remorseful since the accident happened, after which he was so distraught he collapsed on the sidewalk. “What we saw here was truly an accident,” Bernard said, as his client sat next to him sobbing.

The charges are misdemeanors that carry a maximum of 2 ½ years in the House of Correction with a 15-year license loss.

The collision occurred on Northampton Road (Route 10) near the Burger King in Easthampton around 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2.  An investigation by Easthampton Police working with State Police troopers from the Crime Scene Services Section (CSSS), the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section (CARS) and the State Police Detective Unit attached to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office concluded Larkin should have seen the pedestrians in time to avoid striking them.