Yarmouth Driver Faces OUI Charge In Firefighter's Death

YARMOUTH (CBS) --A drunk driver struck two pedestrians Saturday night, killing one and seriously injuring the other, Yarmouth police said.

Police said the crash occurred on Route 28 near Parker's River Bridge at about 11:43 p.m.

The driver of a blue 2009 Ford Econovan E150 showed signs of intoxication and admitted to drinking earlier at two local establishments, according to police.

Kevin J. Regan, 62, of Westfield, was pronounced dead at Cape Cod Hospital. Sixty-two-year-old Lynda M. Cavanaugh, who lives at the same address as Regan, was seriously injured and flown to a Boston hospital, but is expected to survive.

Yarmouth Deputy Police Chief Steven Xiarhos said that according to the driver and witnesses, it was dark outside and visibility was hampered when the pedestrians ran out in front of the driver.

"It was a real sad and hectic scene," Xiarhos said.

Jonathan Sides, a friend of Regan, said the longtime firefighter was a big Red Sox fan and a "community servant."

"He just always sought out to make things better," Sides said. "It's a shame. He had everything going for him."

Another friend, Joe DiFonzo, remembered Regan as "full of life."

"He spent his whole life helping people," DiFronzo said. "Everybody loved him."

Police arrested 55-year-old Paul G. Dennehy, of South Yarmouth.

He will be arraigned in Barnstable District Court on Monday on charges of motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence of liquor, and operating under the influence of liquor with serious injury, according to police.

This was the second deadly crash involving alcohol use in Yarmouth in 24 hours, police said. One person was killed and another arrested following an early morning crash on Blue Rock Road.

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