Web Search powered by YAHOO! SEARCH
share
email
print
reprint
font size
options
 
READER FEEDBACK
Post a comment
Posted on Thu, Nov. 12, 2009


Chesco woman sentenced for fatal Blue Route crash

By Mari A. Schaefer

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

A Chester County woman who drove drunk the wrong way on the Blue Route, killing a Massachusetts grandmother in 2008, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today to five to 10 years in prison.

Roisin O'Neill, 24, of Willistown Township, sobbed as she apologized to the family of Patricia Murphy Waggoner.

"I have spent a lot of time thinking how I could have allowed such a tragedy to occur at my hand," O'Neill said.

On Sept. 18, 2008, O'Neill and some friends were at Brownies 23 East in Ardmore. At some point, she became separated from her companions and decided to drive her 2006 Ford Escape home.

O'Neill, who had a blood-alcohol level of more than double the legal limit, drove more than three miles before colliding with the Mazda driven by Waggoner, prosecutors said.

She was charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, and related crimes.

In addition to the prison sentence, O'Neill will have to serve four years' probation, perform 250 hours of community service, and pay more than $21,000 in restitution.

She was given credit for 42 days in jail and 35 hours of community service. In May, she began serving weekends in jail after violating conditions of her bail while on house arrest.

O'Neill is the third member of her family to face criminal charges in the last three years.

Last month, her father, Sean O'Neill Sr., 49, received an 18-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to three counts of immigration fraud, one count of illegal possession of a firearm silencer without a serial number, and one count of conspiracy to commit tax fraud.

He agreed to return to Northern Ireland after he completes his sentence.

In September 2006, her brother, Sean O'Neill Jr., then 17, accidentally shot and killed a Cardinal O'Hara High School classmate, Scott Sheridan, during an underage drinking party at the O'Neill house. He completed two juvenile treatment programs in March.

Contact staff writer Mari A. Schaefer at 610-892-9149 or mschaefer@phillynews.com.


CURRENTLY SHOWING ON PHILLY.COM

A Philly girl's love for Michael Vick

Philly Uncorked: Cooking and wine

Mob Scene: Bad Cop

SnapGlow.TV: Frame your face

The Gossip with Marnie Hall: El Cafeito
Comments   
Posted 12:18 PM, 11/12/2009
Cazptain Philadelphia
D-E-P-O-R-T-A-T-I-O-N
Posted 12:28 PM, 11/12/2009
Sports slob
Suspect not black enough to be made fun of?
Posted 12:37 PM, 11/12/2009
inquisitor
Didn't the family also own or partly own a bar in Derexel Hill? Can you say big drinking problem?
Posted 12:47 PM, 11/12/2009
kingofpoker
It was NOT a ACCIDENT with Scott- He pointed the gun at his head- he knew there were bullits in the gun! The judge (who probably got a contribution ) to his campaign fund was charged as a LITTLE BABY and got away with it. HIS SISTER who is now going to jail helped him clean up the crime!!!!!!!!!
Posted 12:48 PM, 11/12/2009
john56
Suburban women + alcohol + vehicle; more dangerous than a dope-dealer with a gun.
Posted 12:50 PM, 11/12/2009
kingofpoker
NOT ENOUGH TIME !!!!!!! SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MIN OF 10 years !
Posted 12:54 PM, 11/12/2009
BigCH
Jeez, nice family. Way to undo those Irish stereotypes.
Posted 12:58 PM, 11/12/2009
billyboy
Sounds like a nice family!!
Posted 01:35 PM, 11/12/2009
RowingMan
Anybody know if the 24 yr old Roisin is hot? I wanna party with her...
Posted 01:48 PM, 11/12/2009
VAD
This whole family had a run of seriously unfortunate events. The son shoots a friend of his by accident and kills him. The daughter with this story, and then the father with the other charges. I wouldn't be surprised if the mother was head of a sleeper cell right here in Philly.
Posted 01:51 PM, 11/12/2009
paul66
@sportsslob....Why do ask such a stupid question? and i see the unhappy AA's are ready to pounce, bunch of haters as usual. sorry, no racism card to play here. boats leaving soon, hop right on.
Comment removed.
Posted 02:38 PM, 11/12/2009
BigDawg13
The family used to own Maggie O'Neill's in Drexel Hill
Posted 02:41 PM, 11/12/2009
jpstuhr
Parents did a great job! Son killed a friend with a gun.
Posted 02:50 PM, 11/12/2009
mokey1057
Dear DN, why is it that you allow people to rip Irish people a new A**hole and don't shut down the site, yet you slammed the door of the comment section regarding the black firefighters because of things that were being said?
28 comments | View All Comments | View All By Latest
  • Jobs
  • Cars
  • Real Estate
  • Rentals
 
View all Top Jobs »
SEARCH JOBS
Spotlight Deal

$2,995,000
1257 COUNTRY CLUB RD
Gladwyne 19035
Spotlight Deal

$599,000
644 N SYDENHAM ST
Fairmount/Spring Garden 19130
SEARCH REAL ESTATE
Spotlight Deal

$1,600
Venice Lofts
Manayunk 19127
Spotlight Deal

$1,495
Dobson Mills
East Falls 19129
SEARCH RENTALS
Advertise Here
MOST POPULAR PHILLY.COM PHOTOS
NEWS
Will dredging make a difference?
Does dredging the Delaware River really matter? Plans by the Army Corps of Engineers to deepen the navigation channel from 40 to 45 feet have generated support from shipping companies and heated opposition from environmentalists.
Change coming early to Trenton
 
The true cost of freedom from anxiety
 
NRC investigating radiation at Three Mile Island
Apartment building destroyed in fire
Seismic rumbles in the forests