A Fall River man has pleaded guilty for causing an accident that killed a 10-year-old Westport girl, and left her sister seriously injured, three years ago.

Just before his trial was set to begin, Robert Silvia, 33, of Fall River, leaded guilty on Monday, Oct. 30, to a charge of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, Bristol County District Attorney’s Office prosecutors said. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison, with one year suspended.

The accident occurred at about 2:15 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, and killed Anilda DeBarros Ribeiro, 10, of Westport. Police had received numerous 911 calls about an accident involving children at the intersection of routes 6 and 88, and an investigation showed that the car in which Anilda was traveling had stopped on the side of the highway following a minor fender bender, and was struck from behind by a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Silvia.

"This was a terrible tragedy that occurred because of the defendant's negligence. I hope that the victim’s family can have some consolation and closure from the defendant's guilty plea, admitting that he caused the young girl's death. The jail sentence imposed by the court was appropriate," District Attorney Thomas Quinn said in a statement.

In addition to the jail time, Silvia’s license to drive was revoked for 15 years.