This archive report was first published on 22 November 2019.
On November 12, 2016, David Njuguna was found guilty in Worcester Superior Court of involuntary manslaughter, misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide, and operating to endanger in the crash that killed Trooper Thomas Clardy.
Clardy, a 44-year-old 11-year veteran of the State Police, was married and the father of seven children. He was killed in the accident on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Charlton.
Prosecutors alleged that Njuguna was speeding and high on marijuana at the time of the crash. However, Judge Janet Kenton-Walker cleared Njuguna of OUI manslaughter and felony motor vehicle homicide because prosecutors did not prove he was high.
On Thursday, November 12, 2016, Njuguna was sentenced to 5-7 years in prison after family members gave emotional victim impact statements.
Prosecutors had sought a 10-12 year sentence for involuntary manslaughter, saying it reflected a 'high degree of recklessness.'
