Dads of teen crash victims speak in court

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) -- There was tearful testimony on Tuesday afternoon as the father's of both crash victims spoke in Kent County District Court.

According to investigators, Nicholas Whiteley, of North Kingstown, and Patrick Gronhagen, of East Greenwich, were driving separate cars just before 4 a.m. February 19 on Shippeetown Road in East Greenwich.

Police believe the two were racing, when Whiteley's car lost control and crashed into boulders and a telephone pole. The crash resulted in the deaths of Whiteley's two passengers, 19-year-old Michael Ruggieri and 18-year-old Madeline Healey, both of North Kingstown.

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Whiteley is charged with two counts of DUI, death resulting and two counts of driving to endanger, death resulting, while Gronhagen is charged with two counts of driving to endanger, death resulting and one count of driving to endanger, resulting in injury.

In court on Tuesday, 21-year-old Nicholas Whitely pleaded no contest to driving under the influence death resulting.

Through tears Whitely spoke to the families of the both of the victims.

Both fathers of the victims, through tearful words,  told the judge their pain never goes away for long.

“I am very angry about what took place that morning, but even angrier about what has taken place since. It is sad to say that I believe Nick has proven to me that he feels little remorse of his actions that morning. During the past year, Nick has been partying on Facebook and pictures say he is having a good old time for himself,” said Madeline's father James Healy.

“Michael’s chair sits empty, pushed up against the table, a silent reminder of what we once had,” said Michael's father David Ruggieri.

David Rugieri went on to say that he is sad, angry, and frustrated.