Ryan O'Farrell sentenced to 9-12 years in prison in 2022 after accident in Northfield, MA – NBC Boston

The driver of a 2022 crash in northwest Massachusetts that seriously injured eight motorcyclists was sentenced to 9 to 12 years in prison on Monday.

Ryan O'Farrell, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, five counts of negligent operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing great bodily harm, two counts of endangering a child under the age of 14 by operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, five counts of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, five counts of assault with a dangerous weapon causing great bodily harm, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of operating a motor vehicle without a license.

Matthew Thomas, assistant district attorney in Northwestern County, asked for a prison sentence of 12 to 15 years, citing O'Farrell's criminal record and past, as well as the severity and lasting effects of the injuries the victims suffered.

“Some of the victims lost limbs and their livelihoods and now face a very different future than they would have had before that day. This future, which O'Farrell forced upon them, consists of days and nights of acute pain, economic uncertainty and emotional trauma,” Thomas said in his verdict.

Jeanne Early, O'Farrell's lawyer, recommended a prison sentence of five to seven years.

In imposing concurrent prison sentences of nine to 12 years, Judge John Agostini cited O'Farrell's “significant criminal record, which suggests that he is, at best, indifferent to compliance with the law.”

O'Farrell, of Westerly, Rhode Island, was arrested at the scene after he crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic on Routes 5 and 10 in Northfield at 1 p.m. on May 29, 2022, colliding with five motorcycles belonging to a Connecticut motorcycle club and seriously injuring eight people who were either driving or riding on those vehicles. Three of the victims had to be flown by helicopter to trauma centers.

Authorities said O'Farrell was driving an SUV and trailer towing a motorcycle southbound when he crossed a solid yellow double center lane. An 11-year-old and a 13-year-old were in the vehicle at the time, but they were not injured in the crash.

Witnesses told investigators that O'Farrell showed signs of impairment. As part of his guilty plea, he admitted that he was under the influence of Suboxone at the time of the accident.