Registry revokes license of driver in Marblehead fatal

MARBLEHEAD – The Registry of Motor Vehicles has revoked the driver’s license of Thomas A. Larivee effective Friday declaring that he is an immediate threat based on his involvement in an Aug. 24 crash in Marblehead.”We will serve him today,” Registry spokeswoman Ann Dufresne said. “His license has been revoked and he will be hand-delivered notification of the revocation by police.”Although Larivee’s license has been revoked by the Registry, he has not been charged with any crime or violation stemming from the accident that took place around 7 p.m. on Aug. 24 on Pleasant Street near Mohawk Road where 15-year-old Alessandra “Allie” Castner was killed.In an exclusive interview with The Item Friday afternoon, Castner’s mother, Julie Castner, said, “After seeing The Item Web site and seeing that his name had been published, I am feeling this is the best moment I have had in a month. This is a step in the right direction for us and Allie. We are fighting this for her.”Documents released by the Registry of Motor vehicles to The Item Friday morning shows Larivee, the driver involved in the accident that killed Allie Castner, who would have been a sophomore at Marblehead High, has had numerous driving infractions and previously had his license suspended for 90 days.The driving record shows Larivee had been cited for a seat belt violation in Lynnfield in April of 2008, a speeding incident in New Hampshire in December of 2007 which led to a 90-day suspension and an accident leading to a surcharge in Marblehead this past January.”Instead of mourning and beginning the healing process we have had to fight for her honor,” Julie Castner said. “This is so unreal to all of us. You wake up in the morning saying this really is not your life. When you put your feet on the floor you realize it really is your life.”Larivee, who graduated from Salem High, is a freshman at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.”Larivee is enrolled and on campus,” UMass-Lowell Director of Athletic Media Relations Chris O’Donnell said Thursday. “I believe he is playing fall baseball at this time and I assume he is a resident at the school and not a commuter student.”According to a Boston Globe story in July, Larivee was considered the prize catch for this year’s baseball recruits at UMass-Lowell. That story said the 6-foot-2-inch, 215 pound catcher who batted more than .400 for the season, was considered one of the top three catchers in the state according to UMass-Lowell baseball coach Ken Harring.Larivee was named the Northeastern Conference MVP after last season.A letter dated Sept. 22 which was sent to Marblehead Police Chief Robert Picariello and media outlets by Allie Castner’s uncle, Peter Babine, said, “Why does this nightmare death of Allie Castner, an innocent teen killed at a crosswalk, continue to seem more shrouded in questions and secrecy than answers? ? This investigation seems to be reflected more in an attitude for protection of a star athlete with political family relatives in legal circles and not justice for the killing of this angel now lying in a cemetery! Her parents, our family, and this community should not be forced to endure the continued secrecy?”The Boston Herald reported Friday the Registry of Motor Vehicles had requested the Marblehead Police Department turn over the fatal accident report to determine if Larivee’s license should be revoked.”I was out of the office all day (Thursday) and as soon as I got to the office Friday I contacted the Registry,” Picariello said. “My reading of the ‘immediate threat’ (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 90) is that a license may be suspended or revoked whenever the holder has committed a violation. We have not completed the investigation to know if there has been a violation. I have since complied with the Registry’s request and forwarded them the form.”Picarello contacted The Item late Friday afternoon and claims he forwarded an electronic fatal accident notification form to the Registry the morning