Unlicensed Driver Sentenced to Probation in 2011 Fatal Crash

A man who was driving without a license in Milford when he struck another vehicle in February 2011, killing a 47-year-old woman, pleaded guilty Friday in Worcester District Court to motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation.

 pleaded guilty and was sentenced by District Judge David Destopopulos to three years of probation, said Timothy Connolly, a spokesman for the Worcester County District Attorney's office. The assistant district attorney prosecuting the case had sought five years of probation.

Zaruma had been charged with motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, speeding and a marked lane violation, following the Feb. 1, 2011 crash that killed Andrea Agosto.

 She was a passenger in the vehicle. A 47-year-old man in the vehicle was also injured in the crash on Cedar Street, near the Hopkinton line.

According to Milford Police, Zaruma lost control of his vehicle, a Ford Expedition, which then struck the Toyota sedan in which Agosto was riding.

As conditions of probation, Zaruma can't apply for a license in any jurisdiction for 15 years, he must refrain from operating a motor vehicle and has to perform 200 hours of community service. In addition, he is to have no unsolicited contact with the victim's family, Connolly said.

In addition to pleading guilty to the motor vehicle homicide charge, Zaruma was found guilty of unlicensed operation, and found responsible for two civil motor vehicle violations. The charge of reckless operation was dismissed, merged with the acceptance of the guilty plea.