Kennebunk, ME — The Maine Criminal Defense Group had a rather significant breakthrough in a high-profile case involving a deadly car crash that ended the lives of four Maine Maritime Academy Students. The case garnered statewide attention following the accident that occurred in the fall of 2023, primarily due to the complex legal charges against the vehicle's driver, Joshua Goncalves-Radding, and one of the passengers, Noelle Tavares. Though the consequences of the accident are devastating for all involved, this new case resolution comes after extensive legal proceedings.
Thanks to the efforts of the Maine Criminal Defense Group, led by attorney William T. Bly, the legal proceedings have culminated in a new plea agreement for Noelle Tavares—who was initially charged with several serious offenses, including vehicular manslaughter and operating under the influence (OUI). The new plea deal sentencing has been deferred for two years, which provides Tavares with the opportunity to meet the specific conditions of her plea deal and, thus, avoid more severe legal penalties.
If Tavares successfully meets all the conditions of her plea deal during the deferment period, her final sentence will be greatly reduced to only the $500 fine she'd have to pay. However, if she fails to meet the conditions, Tavares could face up to five years in prison. Among the key conditions of her plea deal is that she has to speak to incoming Marine Maritime Academy students about the dangers and consequences of driving while intoxicated or operating under the influence.
In a completely separate court ruling, Joshua Goncalves-Radding, who was under 21 at the time, allegedly intoxicated, and was driving at the time of the accident, was sentenced to three years of imprisonment for his involvement, as his impaired state and reckless driving contributed to the deaths of four other individuals.
For those who aren't familiar with the events that have transpired, the fatal crash took place in fall 2023 on Shore Road in Castine, Maine, resulting in the tragic deaths of four college students ages 20 to 22. According to the prosecutors, the driver, Joshua Goncalves-Radding, was operating under the influence and driving at speeds of over 100 MPH before losing control of the vehicle. Subsequently, the vehicle struck a tree and caught fire. Further testing revealed that the driver was under the influence of both marijuana and alcohol at the time of the crash.
Tavares was initially accused of being an accomplice or co-conspirator due to the fact that she bought the liquor consumed by Gonclaves-Raddington, which opened her up for subsequent felony charges brought against her. Those included vehicular manslaughter, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, reckless speeding (even though she wasn't driving), aggravated operating under the influence, and driving to endanger.
However, in exchange for dropping all charges against her, Tavares pleaded to one of 14 original charges brought up against her—the one for furnishing liquor to a minor. This is a lesser charge, especially when compared to manslaughter and all other charges she originally faced due to her involvement in the incident. As a result, Tavares will only have a single Class-D misdemeanor on her record.
William T. Bly, a leading criminal defense attorney in Maine, emphasized the importance of a fair and thorough defense process. "This was an incredibly complex case involving deep tragedy and nuanced legal considerations," Bly stated. "While the outcome cannot change what has happened, this agreement represents an essential step forward for my client and the families involved."
The Maine Criminal Defense Group, which handled Tavares' defense, is known across the state for its aggressive and personalized approach to criminal defense cases, especially OUI-related ones. With offices in Portland, Kennebunk, and Brunswick, the company has built a reputation for providing professional, hands-on legal representation that's specifically tailored to the needs of its clients. For more information about The Maine Criminal Defense Group or to seek representation, visit www.notguiltyattorneys.com.
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For more information about The Maine Criminal Defense Group, contact the company here:
The Maine Criminal Defense Group
William T Bly
207-571-8146
info@mainecdg.com
119 Main Street Kennebunk, ME 04043
