EASTHAMPTON — A South Hadley driver who last August struck and killed two city residents crossing Route 10 near Burger King will face negligent vehicular homicide charges next month.

An investigation into the crash found that Stuart A. Larkin, 64, should have seen 81-year-old Edward O. Hanlon Jr. and 60-year-old Ilona L. Murray in time to avoid striking them.

Hanlon died at the scene and Murray was later pronounced dead at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

The couple was known locally for their volunteerism, serving meals to others at organizations like Manna Soup Kitchen and the biweekly Building Bridges veterans luncheon, hosted by the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts.

Easthampton Police investigated the collision, along with state police troopers from the Crime Scene Services Section, the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, and the detective unit attached to the Northwestern district attorney’s office.

A complaint was issued Monday in Northampton District Court charging Larkin with two counts of negligent motor vehicle homicide and one count of speeding. Misdemeanor charges of vehicular homicide can carry a maximum of 2½ years in jail and a 15-year loss of license.

He is scheduled to be arraigned on those charges in Northampton District Court on Monday, April 3.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Matthew Thomas. Larkin is being represented by Springfield attorney Joseph Bernard.

Emily Thurlow can be reached at ethurlow@gazettenet.com.]]>