Man Charged In Taxi Driver Death Held On $25,000 Bail
LYNNFIELD (CBS) - William Halpin III was high, when he barreled into the breakdown lane along Route 1 in Lynnfield Friday night, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors say the 25-year-old hit and killed 42-year-old taxi driver Victor Vargas, who was standing in the breakdown lane after a fender bender with another car.
Vargas was the father of two children. Said his brother Julio, "Victor was a good brother, a good father, a good son, a good husband."
WBZ-TV's Peg Rusconi reports.
Prosecutors say Halpin also hit a parked car, injuring a child inside.
Halpin's driving history, according to prosecutors, is checkered with several surcharge-able accidents and a prior OUI charge.
At the Lynnfield scene, police asked Halpin if he'd been drinking.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports.
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Said prosecutor Gabrielle Clark, "He was asked if he'd had any alcohol and he said no, but I might have some weed on me."
Police say Halpin smelled of pot, and was seen tossing bags of what appeared to be marijuana, packaged for distribution, from the car.
"He was distraught that he was driving a car and he was dead. And he's sorry," said defense attorney Mike Farrington.
Farrington wouldn't comment on the drugs, but called it an accident on a tough stretch of road.
"I'm not blaming anyone. It was an accident."
Halpin's father William is CEO of the South Boston Community Health Center.
He declined comment, but through a spokesman issued a statement saying thoughts and prayers were with the crash victims.
"We were devastated when we heard the news of the horrible accident. We can only say that we love our son and that our thoughts and prayers are with the Vargas family and the others hurt."
Bail was set at $25,000. Halpin's license has been suspended.
If he posts bail, Halpin is not allowed to drive and he must undergo random drug and alcohol testing.
