Bicyclist Killed On Ocean City Bridge
DATE & TIME: 06/26/2009 @ 0226 hours
LOCATION: W/B US 50 on the Harry Kelley Bridge, Worcester County, MD
VEHICLE #1. 2006 Chevrolet Silverado, MD Reg: 46S434
OPERATOR #1. Daniel Matthew Bren, 34 YOA, Berlin, MD
BICYCLIST #1. Maxim Matuzov, 20 YOA, Ocean City, MD
BICYCLIST #2. Edward Joseph Zisk, 41 YOA, Ocean City, MD
On 06/26/2009 at 0226 hours, Troopers from the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack were dispatched to US 50 on the Harry Kelley Bridge for a hit and run accident. Investigation revealed that a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado being operated by Daniel Bren of Berlin, MD was traveling in Lane #2 of W/B US 50 on the bridge when he came upon two bicyclists who were traveling in the roadway. Vehicle #1 struck the bicyclists from behind ejecting both bicyclists from their bicycles. Maxim Matuzov sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, MD for treatment. Edward J. Zisk, of Ocean City, MD, was ejected from his bicycle and came to rest in Lane #1 of W/B US 50. As a result of injuries sustained in the collision, Mr. Zisk was pronounced deceased at the scene. Mr. Bren failed to remain at the scene of the collision. A motorist who observed the collision followed the Chevrolet Silverado providing updates to police about the suspect vehicle’s location. The vehicle was subsequently stopped by a Maryland State Trooper. Mr. Bren was found to be operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. As a result, Mr. Bren was placed under arrest and charged with numerous criminal and traffic offenses. These offenses include negligent homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence, driving under the influence of alcohol, and failing to remain at the scene of an accident involving the death of another. He was taken before a Worcester County District Court Commissioner where he an initial appearance was held. The immediate disposition of that appearance is not known at this time. The Maryland State Police CRASH Team responded to the collision scene and assisted with the investigation. Additional assistance was provided by the Ocean City Police Department, Ocean City Fire Department, and the Maryland State Highway Administration.
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31 comments:
I'm not saying that drinking and driving or leaving the scene are right, but clearly these idiots were riding in the traffic lanes on the bridge. There is a sidewalk wide enough to ride a bicycle on that is protected by a 6 foot fence on both sides of the bridge! No pedestrian or cyclist should be in the lanes traveled by motor vehicles! Traffic is bad enough on that bridge, drivers don't need cyclists to further complicate the matter.
I'd also like to know if these guys were foreigners. Matuzov's name reflects such, but Zisk may be a US Citizen. That being the case Bren may have killed the wrong one. All too often I see foreigners doing their thing on the streets like it's Europe-Its AMERICA folks, the pedestrians may have the right-of-way, but the right-of-way has to be given!
WOW. Anon, 3:51, sounds like the only IDIOT here is YOU.
Killed the wrong one? Guess what, dick, that basically amounts to hate speech, which the Supreme Court has ruled is punishable by law.
And guess what, the police said that you're SUPPOSED to take your bike in the travel lane, and that the sidewalk is for pedestrians! Traffic might be bad, but it's the slow-moving, "stuck at a snail's pace" bad, not the "every maniac on the road is cruising at 90 mph" bad. Bikes and cars can coexist on the roads safely if both are looking out for each other.
i would be terrified to ride a bike anywhere in the o.c. area.... or cross a highway, too....
Does anyone know if the bridge is open to traffic?
He should not have been drinking and driving and they should not have been riding their bikes in the traffic lanes of Rt. 50. END OF STORY! this is natural selection people it's gods way of thinning the herd. Get over it. This stuff happens every year.
Someone is dead, someone else has ruined their life and that of their family by choosig to drive drunk. What a pitty for lots of people. I have heard that the drunk driver drug the one victim after striking him. Thank you to the taxi driver. His actions may save a life by taking a drunk driver off the road.
My prayers are with all involved. Mainly the deceased and their family AND the driver's family, who are well-liked locals. I feel something needs to be done about the bike traffic on the Rt 50 bridge. There has to be something the town can do, or the state highway to prevent ANOTHER occurence from happening this summer.
"Killed the wrong one"? "Thinning the herd"? Very scary reactions.
I've never seen so many DUI related fatalities anywhere. I guess when there is nothing else to do ppl here drink away all their problems.
The visiting foreign workers do not seem to receive ANY instruction regarding traffic laws. I drove a Park and Ride bus over that bridge for 2 years. An earlier comment was right regarding riding a bike in the traffic lanes. The sidewalk is protected and walking a bike over the bridge is certainly safer than riding in the traffic lane. Once you cross the bridge, the sidewalk gets even wider. Still some simply want to ride in the traffic lanes.
Mr. Zisk is a US Citizen. I know his family. The other gentleman I do not know. Either way it is a terrible accident that has affected the lives of many.
"killed the wrong one" and "thinning the herd" those are just statements from an insensitive jacka*s that needs to think twice before typing a comment on this or any blog.
JB - "Killed the wrong one"? "Thinning the herd"? Very scary reactions.
Easy statments to make when the deceased aren't their loved ones. Cold. Callous. People without God.
Isn't that the guy who's wife owns Smith, Cropper & Deely....Think his insurance will go up!
Sad, terrible accident. Very saddened that anyone would believe this is ok to happen to anyone- american or not. Shame on you. Most of us can trace back to grandparents or great parents that came from another country. My grandmother came from italy when she was 18, should she have been killed? Or me because she was from another country? Yes, these are very well liked locals but it doesn't make the senseless act right. The driver has ruined so many lives. Even the lives of his very own family because of this. I'm sure if you asked him if he thinks what he did, or the result of what he did was ok, he would certainly say no and would take it back in a heartbeat.
We all need to wake up and realize we are all human and our lives can be ruined by one careless act.
Shame on those who give any thought into thinking any part of this is right.
This is tragic. My heart goes out to the family of the deceased.
There will be so much pain for years to come, for all involved.
Saddened by the poor decision-making that resulted in this.
Something needs to be done to support safe cycling in OC/WOC.
JB - "Killed the wrong one"? "Thinning the herd"? Very scary reactions.
"Easy statments to make when the deceased aren't their loved ones. Cold. Callous. People without God."
Let me just say that the thinning the herd comment was indeed mine. And to be honest I am with god. I just tell it like it is. and I would say the same thing if it was indeed one of my loved ones. And the reason is flat out both parties were wrong and bad things happened. IT IS A FACT OF LIFE. This happens every year because people don't use their brains. So as far as I am concerned If you don't like my comment then don't read it. It's not my fault that you can't handle real life and the truth!
Why is it so difficult to just call a cab or call someone to pick you up when you've been drinking?
I'm thinking that the driver will have many years to reflect on that question.
It will be interesting to see, if Money and Influence, can get you off.
I know if I was drunk, and I drug some guy to his death, on my way home, I would be moving to Snow Hill for a long time... I bet, he gets a slap on the wrist, he married up, and that's one of the perks, I suppose.
The loss of any life in an accident like this is truly tragic. That being said, this will have a dramatic effect on the lives of those involved for years to come. I have met Dan before and he is absolutley a good individual. He made a very bad decision and I am sure he will have to deal with the harsh consequences that go along with his actions. There are many people including myself who have made bad choices and driven after having a few drinks, it does not make it right at all but I think everyone should learn from this and understand that this could happen to anyone who chooses to put their own life and the lives of others in jeopardy by driving under the influence. The fact that one life was lost, other man was injured, and a 34yr old man is going to miss many years of his life at home with his family because of this tragedy is sad
The love of my life died in this accident. The man behind the wheel that killed him will pay dearly for this. Daniel Bren god help you.
So what these people are saying are the bicyclist's are at fault for riding their bikes and the drunken driver should have been given a medal? Get real! Ed Zisk was a person, someone's son, brother, uncle, fiance, friend--life! Someone whose dreams have been shattered because of a reckless moron! Think again, dope!
I am saying that it is both parties fault. Yes BOTH the drunk and the bicyclist. The drunk should not have gotten in the car and drove. The guy on the bike should not have been riding in the traffic lanes of such a busy roadway. Anyone who has lived in or around Ocean City usually gets on the damn sidewalk and walks there bike accross the bridge. So yes anon 9:14pm it is both of their fault. DEAL WITH IT!
The taxi cab driver saw the bicyclist. Why couldn't the Drunk Driver?? Because he was drunk. If the KILLER didn't get behind the wheel Eddie would be alive today. Just because they weren't on the side walk, what if they were already across the bridge beyound the sidewalks. Can't blame the bicyclist then could you. Only blame is the KILLER. Get real!!!! And Deal with it...What if it were your loved one????? How would you DEAL WITH IT???? So anon 10:32pm think about it, then see if you could DEAL WITH IT.
It must have been nice for Eddie's KILLER to spend Thanksgiving with his family and friends. While Eddie's family and friends cried. It's not fair that this KILLER is still out of jail...All the Holidays he gets with his family and friends. When will justice be served???? Jan. 15 2010???? Or will this continue to be delayed....I will never forget or forgive you Daniel Bren. You not only took the love of my life, but you left scar's on Max (our russian student we were housing for the summer)that he will have to live with the rest of his life. Your a monster...you should be locked up and the key thrown away.
Wendy I understand you loss. And I did make the DEAL WITH IT comment. And guess what I have dealt with it. First of all I think calling someone who made a bad decision a monster is a little unrealistic. It could have been me or you that decided to get in our cars drunk that night. I agree it is partly his fault and he should be punished for it. However in West Ocean City on a rt. 50 there is such a thing as a shoulder of the road which is also the bike lane. Where Bycyclists should be.
PARTLY MY ASS!!!!!!! And YES he is a MONSTER....I don't care if it's unrealistic....Until something like this happens to your loved one...don't tell me that its unrealistic....I deal with it day and night. and...for PUNISHMENT...he will get that..There is NO shoulder on Route 50 bridge...sidewalks..but when you have people fishing on the bridge, and they get nasty to you if riding your bike on it while they are fishing...you choose to take the roadway...You don't know half of it...so let it be...BREN is A KILLER MONSTER...
On Friday April 16, 2010 FINALLY THE KILLER IS BEHIND BARS...JUSTICE FOR EDDIE R.I.P. BABY...Love you and Miss you BUNCHES..
JUSTICE FOR EDDIE AND MAX...DANIEL MATTHEW BREN I HOPE YOU ROT IN JAIL and GO TO HELL
Since Mr. Bren having 2 fathers in law through his marriage. One owning the largest insurance firm on the Eastern Shore and the second being a partner in the largest law firm in and the representative firm of the town of Ocean City. How did anyone expect a fair trial.
This case is a political football.
It has been 3 years, 11 days since My SOULMATE was run down by Daniel Bren..Not a day goes by that my heart don't ache..Bren is now out of jail and living his life, while I still suffer everyday...how fair is that??? Justice???? What kind of F'ING JUSTICE is that???? I miss you Eddie like no tomorrow...I have cancer now, and just waiting on my day to come home to you...Love you Baby!!!
It just goes to show DRINKING + DRIVING = BAD IDEA. If he would not have been drinking and would have pulled over right after things could have possibly been different. One thing is for sure, no bikes should be allowed on that bridge. Hell, I know better than to even ride my moped on it because during that little stretch you must keep up with cars or an accident is always lingering. You couldn't pay me to "casually" ride a bike through there. No Way!
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