Man gets 6 months in crash that killed cousin

By Paula Horton, Herald staff writer

A family torn apart by a crash that left a 20-year-old Pasco man dead and his 25-year-old cousin charged with vehicular homicide came together again briefly Tuesday.

In an emotional hearing in Franklin County Superior Court, Taylor Farrell said he was "deeply sorry" for the July 15, 2007, crash that killed his cousin, Rory Farrell.

"I have more guilt than words can explain," Farrell said before he was sentenced to six months in jail. "... I would give anything to give (Rory's family) peace."

Taylor and Rory had spent the day on the Columbia River and were headed back to Rory's Pasco home when they crashed.

Taylor was driving his pickup too fast and missed a curve at North Columbia River Road and Fir Road, rolling his truck several times.

Rory, a passenger, wasn't wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the truck. He died two days later.

Taylor Farrell had a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent -- the legal limit to be considered too drunk to drive in Washington.

Farrell, who was charged a year after his cousin's death, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of vehicular assault.

Prosecutor Steve Lowe said he felt it was fair resolution. He recommended the six-month sentence, which was in the middle of the standard sentencing range of three to nine months.

Farrell's attorney, Stephen Osborne, asked for 30 days in jail and 30 days of work release. Osborne said Farrell lives in Ellensburg, but the Kittitas County jail didn't have room for him.

Judge Craig Matheson followed Lowe's six-month recommendation, saying he didn't think it was right to give Farrell a light sentence.

"You need to accept punishment in this case so you can forgive yourself and move on," Matheson said.

Matheson did, however, give Farrell two months to report to jail to give him time to find work locally or make arrangements to serve time in the Kittitas County jail.

Several family members and friends of both men were in court Tuesday. Supporters on both sides also wrote letters for the judge to consider before making his sentence.

Rory's mother, Candace Waliser, read a letter about how her son's death has affected her and her family -- who had already lost Rory's father, longtime Tri-City dentist Patrick Farrell in 2004 -- and Rory's stepbrother.

Rory stepped up to the plate when his father died and helped comfort his mother and his younger siblings, Lana and Dennis, she said.

"I knew in my heart that Rory would grow into a fine, handsome, successful, caring man, husband and father," Waliser said. "I was watching that transformation become a reality daily as he took on more responsibility."

"He was determined, strong and intelligent, and I knew nothing could stop him," she added. "What none of us ever, every imagined was a senseless accident taking him before he could fulfill these hopes and dreams."

The two families used to vacation together in the summer and spent holidays together, but grieving after the crash and the ensuing legal cases prevented them from speaking to each other.

Taylor Farrell explained how his cousin was more like a brother and was his best friend. He said they planned on owning a ranch together, with Rory managing the livestock while Taylor followed in his Uncle Pat's footsteps and worked as a dentist to fund the operation.

Taylor said he's wanted to be a dentist since he was 4. He graduated from Washington State University with degrees in zoology, pre-med and Spanish, while also volunteering at a dental clinic.

He was working as a dental assistant, but his license was temporarily suspended when he was charged, his attorney said.

"Rory's family are not the only people who have been suffering since that night," Osborne said.

Taylor ran 150 yards on a badly fractured leg to summon help after the crash and he also was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, Osborne said.

"Other than this isolated incident, this is a praiseworthy young man," Osborne said. "... I would be extremely surprised if you or any other judge saw Taylor Farrell in this or any other court again in the rest of his life."

Judge Matheson told both families that he could sense the underlying spirit of family in all the letters he read, and he hoped that the resolution of the case will help them move forward.

They may have taken a tiny step toward healing after the hearing as Taylor Farrell walked to the opposite side of the courtroom, hugged his cousin's family and apologized.

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Wednesday, Jun. 24, 2009

Man gets 6 months in crash that killed cousin

By Paula Horton, Herald staff writer