The family of a Derry man who died in a hit-and-run incident in the US has reacted angrily after it was revealed that his killer will face no criminal charges.

Eoin McGrory, 34, was hit by a refuse truck while cycling in Boston in April.

The driver of the truck, Ricky Prezioso, was initially arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing death.

However, following a lengthy legal process, a grand jury in Boston has decided not to take forward any criminal charges against the driver in relation to the Derry man’s death.

The Derry News has learned, however, that the McGrory family is to launch a civil case in a bid to get ‘justice’ for Eoin.

The Derry man was the youngest of a family of six, three boys and three girls.

His parents, John and Theresa, now live at Earhart Park but previously lived at Carrabane Walk in Shantallow.

He was a former pupil of Steelstown Primary School and Carnhill High School.

Eoin moved to Boston with friends when he was 18 and worked in the construction industry.

He married his girlfriend Shannique in the US just two days before Christmas last year and was step-father to Monique.

Speaking to the Derry News this week, Shannique McGrory said she was shocked at this week’s decision.

“I am devastated at the loss of my husband, who was the love of my life,” she said.

“He brought something to our family that can never be replaced – a sense of playfulness, laughter and deep caring for my children.
“He was only 34 years old, and we were just starting our lives together.

“I am shocked and disappointed at the grand jury’s decision, but I believe that the truth of what happened that day will come out through the civil justice system.”

Eoin’s brother, John, said they also found it hard to take this week’s decision, but stressed that they would not be giving up.

“Our brother was an amazing person who will be missed by everyone who knew him - in Boston and in Ireland and beyond.

“We appreciate the hard work of the District Attorney’s office and the detectives involved in this case.

“It means a great deal to us that they believed the evidence supported the charges in this case.

“Unfortunately the grand jury have left the criminal prosecutors with nowhere to go in their legal system but they have already begun the process of making all the case evidence available to our lawyers so that we can continue to seek justice for Eoin.”

The McGrory family’s Boston-based lawyer, Valerie A. Yarashus, said she believed that there is ‘overwhelming evidence of gross negligence’ on the part of the truck driver in the case.

“He ran over and killed a bicyclist who was in a marked bike lane and travelling within the speed limit.

“When truck drivers do not follow industry standards, such as properly using mirrors to check for pedestrians or cyclists, everyone is in danger when trucks are turning right.

“These “right hook” fatal collisions between trucks and cyclists are completely preventable when truckers follow well-established safety rules, which are incorporated into Massachusetts law.”

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