By George P. Hassett

A Somerville man who sped through city streets and killed two people in a 2007 crash at Kidder Avenue and Highland Road was sentenced to 15 to 20 years in state prison Monday.

Javier Morales, 29, was fleeing police after making an illegal turn at approximately 1:20 a.m., authorities said. He drove at a high rate of speed, through numerous red traffic signals, and never slowed or stopped for the police cruiser traveling behind it.

As Morales entered into Somerville, he continued to speed through several stop signs, drove through the Powderhouse Rotary going in the wrong direction, and avoided collision with a stopped car waiting to enter the rotary by driving on the sidewalk.

Authorities said Morales was driving 76 miles per hour down side streets when he struck a cab killing Paul Farris, 23, of Medford, and Walid Chahine, 45, of Methuen and injured a third passenger, Farris’ girlfriend.

All three victims were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. The violent impact of the collision ejected Farris from the cab and tore his seatbelt.

As part of Morales’ guilty plea he can not operate a motor vehicle or apply for reinstatement of his license.

“This defendant pleaded guilty to causing a horrific car crash that resulted in the death of two innocent men and left a third victim with life-long injuries,” Middlesex District Attorney Gerard Leone said.  “This defendant had numerous opportunities to stop for the police officer, yet continued to make decisions to drive unsafely at high rates of speed through densely-populated areas, endangering those around him. By pleading guilty today, this defendant is admitting to these troubling charges and will remain off the roads and out of communities for an extensive period of time.”

Farris was transported to Somerville Hospital and pronounced dead that morning. Chahine and the female victim were transported to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston to be treated for their injuries. On June 3, 2007, Chahine died of his injuries suffered in the crash. The female victim remained hospitalized for an extended period of time and is still affected today by the injuries she sustained.