Killoran Gets Three Year Sentence for Fatal 2010 Crash

Nearly a year since the death of Bristol resident and Army veteran David Robert Clinton, 43, the man responsible, a friend and business partner, is behind bars.

According to the Attorney General's Office, the owner of Z Bar in Providence, Kevin Killoran, 51, of Cranston, pleaded no contest on Tuesday to charges stemming from his involvement in a fatal motor vehicle crash on Route 195 in April of 2010. Killoran was charged with driving to endanger, death resulting, and leaving the scene of an accident, death resulting. He was sentenced to 10 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions, three to serve, with seven suspended and seven years probation. He was also sentenced to three years of home confinement. The sentences will run consecutively.

Killoran also will surrender his license for three years upon his release from the ACI, and he was fined $250 for driving on a suspended license. 

According to the Attorney General's Office, a State Police investigation determined that Killoran and David Clinton had been working on April 17 until early the next morning as they prepared for the grand opening of their new club, Lucky's, on Warren Avenue in East Providence. 

From the investigation, police determined that at around 2 a.m., Killoran left Lucky’s with Clinton heading toward Providence when he lost control of his vehicle and struck the barrier, rolling his vehicle. Clinton suffered fatal injuries in the crash. Killoran was observed running from the crash scene by passing motorists. Killoran surrendered to the Rhode Island State Police 12 hours later.  

"I can't help but wonder what he would think about what you did. Leaving him there to die all alone," wrote Clinton's sister, Rebecca Clinton, in a statement filed with the court. "He always looked up to you Kevin. Now for the rest of your life he'll be looking down on you."

Gina Dilahenty, Clinton's fiance, said Killoran will be missed.

"Poor judgement. That's what killed David," Dilahenty wrote. "A one second lapse in judgement took away my best friend, my favorite person and husband in every way. He loved me, he loved my daughters and loved his work. He was an outstanding chef whose dishes are used in restaurants around the state today. He took pride in his creations and looked forward to duture endeavors."

Clinton attended Rogers High School in Newport and was a veteran of the United States Army. He was employed as a chef primarily for the Marriott Hotel chain, but he also worked at several restaurants throughout his career. Before his death, he was working at the Z Bar & Grille in Providence.