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Hit-and-run driver
convicted of homicide
By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer
A young Mayfair father charged in the
Thanksgiving Day 2004 drunken hit-and-run
death of a Somerton boy is facing a possible
17 years or more in state prison following
his conviction last week on felony charges.
A Common Pleas Court jury on Thursday agreed
that William Halloran, 30, of the 2800 block
of Knorr St., was likely drunk when he got
behind the wheel of a friend’s SUV and
struck 12-year-old Peter Roberto Jr. as the
youth tried to cross busy Harbison Avenue,
near Comly Street, at 6:45 that evening.
Halloran was convicted of homicide by
vehicle while driving under the influence,
leaving the scene of an accident and
involuntary manslaughter. Judge Teresa
Sarmina immediately revoked the defendant’s
bail and scheduled sentencing for May 26.
Assistant District Attorney Michael Barry
prosecuted the case.
Emotions ran high throughout the three-day
trial among the families of the defendant,
who has a wife and two young children, and
the victim, who lived on the 800 block of
Delray St. in Somerton with his parents,
Dolores and Peter Sr., and three siblings.
The young Roberto attended CCA Baldi Middle
School.
The incident occurred as Halloran, who had
no previous criminal record, drove
southbound on Harbison Avenue on the way to
a relative’s home, according to court
testimony. Roberto, who was
hearing-impaired, and a cousin were out for
a walk after finishing their Thanksgiving
dinner at a relative’s nearby home.
Accident investigators testified that
Roberto tried to cross against a red light,
while Halloran was observing the posted
speed limit of 35 mph for the four-lane
avenue that connects Roosevelt Boulevard and
the Northeast’s Mayfair section with
Aramingo Avenue and Port Richmond.
Seeing the boy, Halloran reportedly swerved
his vehicle but sill struck him. Roberto was
dragged a short distance as the SUV
continued forward, police said. Then
Halloran parked his vehicle, got out to look
at the injured youth and fled on foot.
Halloran surrendered to police at the 15th
district, Harbison Avenue and Levick Street,
about five hours later. According to
testimony, the driver’s blood-alcohol
reading still exceeded the legal limit at
that time, leading authorities to believe it
was well over the legal limit at the time of
the collision.
Witnesses testified that Halloran had been
drinking on Thanksgiving morning when he
attended the annual Father Judge vs. Abraham
Lincoln high school football game. After
that, the defendant allegedly went to a bar
with a friend, then returned home.
Later, he borrowed the SUV from a friend so
he could drive to the home of an uncle.
In the months since the youngster’s death,
Roberto’s parents have become advocates for
stronger laws that address drunken driving
and leaving the scene of an accident. Last
Nov. 17, they held a vigil at the scene to
commemorate the one-year anniversary of
Peter Jr.’s death.
Peter’s cousin, Lou Roberto, has created a
Web site to memorialize the youth —
www.peterrobertojr.com
At Baldi, students have organized a chapter
of SADD (Students Against Destructive
Decisions). The school also has a Peter
Roberto Memorial Scholarship Fund. •
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at
215-354-3031 or
bkenny@phillynews.com
Dear Mr. Kenny:
I wanted to thank you, on behalf of myself
and our family, for the follow up article
that ran today in the Northeast Times. I,
however, felt compelled to correct a few of
the "facts" that you got wrong.
1. William Halloran WAS drunk, not likely
drunk. In fact, at the time of his arrest
his blood alcohol level was 0.102. A
toxicologist testified that at the time of
the crash his blood alcohol level was at
least 0.19 (over 2 times the legal limit
which is 0.08) and could have been as high
as 0.21 depending on when he had his last
drink. When he had his last drink we still
don't know because he never told us nor did
he take the stand in his own defense.
2. While emotions did run high throughout
the 3 day trial, it should be noted that at
no time did ANYONE in our family have any
outburst or confrontations with his family.
It was his family that had the outburst. Our
family and friends kept our composure
throughout the trial, as hard as it was to
sit and listen to the lies that the defense
attorney tried to make the jury believe.
3. Testimony showed that William Halloran
did not swerve away from Peter to avoid
hitting him but did in fact swerve INTO
Peter instead. His breaks were never hit
until after he drug my son about 25 Feet,
not a SHORT distance. In fact, Peter landed
approximately 100 feet from where he was
hit. The fact that he was "driving the speed
limit" speaks to the fact that he should
have been able to stop but couldn't because
he was DRUNK. The 2 eye witness testified
that at no time did they think he was going
to hit Peter. All eye witnesses felt that
William Halloran had ample time to stop.
4. William Halloran is the father of 3 not 2
children. His third child was born this past
June. Oddly enough, they named him Jack
Daniels which I think speaks volumes to the
"remorse" that William Halloran feels for
what he did to my son and our entire family.
5. While it is true that William Halloran
had no prior criminal record, it should be
noted that the only VICTIM in this entire
ordeal is our son. It may have been William
Halloran's first offense, but for our son,
it was his last.
William Halloran had no business operating a
motor vehicle that day. He should have been
home with his family on Thanksgiving, not
out drinking with his buddies. His total
disregard for human life is what got him
into this trouble. He fled that night
because he KNEW he was drinking and that he
was wrong. He has no one to blame for the
mess he's in but himself, just as we have no
one to blame but him for the loss of our
son. You send the wrong message about
drinking and driving and personal
responsibility when you write articles that
elude to the fact that drunk drivers are
victims. While that may not have been your
intention, it is the message that is heard.
Until we as a society stand up and say we
are not going to tolerate this behavior,
there will continue to be victims like Peter
and our family.
Sincerely,
Dolores Roberto and Family
In response to the
hit and run article written by William Kenny
on March 30.
Where were you Mr Kenny when this trial was
taking place? Where you in the court room
and listening to the testimony and the
facts?
Lets talk facts:
It is a fact that Peter Roberto Jr. was
killed by a drunk driver on Thanksgiving
night 2004.
It is a fact that William Halloran was at
least 2xs above the legal limit at the time
of Peter's death.
It is a fact that William Halloran was
Bombed at time he killed Peter Roberto Jr.
It is a fact that William Halloran was the
direct cause of Peter Roberto Jr's. death.
It is a fact that William Halloran was
drinking at Rauchuts Bar on Frankford Ave
that day.
It is a fact that William Halloran was
probably doing the speed limit or less, all
the more reason for him to have seen Peter
Roberto Jr. before it was to late.
It is a fact that emotions did run high in
the court room, especially for the Family
and friends of Peter Roberto Jr.
It is a fact that William Halloran was
drinking at a rivalry high school football
game that day.
It is a fact that William Halloran turned
himself in to police more than 5 hours
later.
It is a fact that William Halloran was still
above the legal alcohol limit at that time.
William Halloran was not likely drunk, he
was "Bombed" at the time of Peter Roberto
Jr's. death.
These are the facts and they are
undisputed!!
Lou Roberto Sr. |
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