On February 19, 2013, a Delmar Police Officer and tow truck were assisting a disabled tractor trailer on North Bound Route 13, just North of Connelly Mill Road. The Defendant, driving a Silver Honda Accord struck the tow truck and then a guard rail causing extensive damage to both the tow truck and the Defendant’s vehicle. When Cpl. Keith Hecook from the Delmar Police Department made contact with the Defendant he exhibited signs that he was under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, there were several empty cans of beer present in the vehicle’s driver and passenger compartment. The Defendant had two male passengers in his vehicle who sustained injuries in the crash, one of whom was Thomas M. Hitch, age 54, of Salisbury, Maryland. All three men were transported by ambulance to P.R.M.C. for treatment. Ultimately, because of the seriousness of his injuries, Thomas Hitch was transported by helicopter to University Hospital (Shock Trauma) in Baltimore, Maryland. Hitch died at University Hospital on February 24, 2013 from the injuries that he sustained in the crash.
The Defendant’s blood was drawn at P.R.M.C. the night of the crash and the blood sample was analyzed by the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division to determine his blood alcohol concentration. Upon analysis, the Defendant’s blood was found to contain an alcohol concentration of 0.19 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
The Court ordered a short-form Pre-Sentence Investigation upon accepting the jury’s verdict and revoked the Defendant’s bond placing him in the Wicomico County Detention Center pending sentencing. Sentencing will occur in approximately 30 days. The Defendant was previously convicted of Driving while Intoxicated in 1993 and of Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol in 2000.
Matthew A. Maciarello, State’s Attorney for Wicomico County thanked the following individuals and agencies for their role in the investigation and prosecution of this case: the Delmar Police Department (especially the lead investigating officer, Cpl. Keith Heacook), the Maryland State Police Special Operations Bureau (especially Tpr. Justin Zimmerman), the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and last, but not least, the physicians, nurses and administrative staff at Peninsula Regional Medical Center (P.R.M.C.).
This case was prosecuted by Matthew A. Maciarello, State’s Attorney for Wicomico County and Sr. Assistant State’s Attorney, Karen Dean. For an interview or more information about this case, please contact (410) 548-4880.
19 comments:
Don't let us catch him back out on the street in a year or less.
His prior convictions should not be a factor in this case, especially since they are well in the past and many years between each one. If they were used in the trial, he should get a new trial.
Actually they should consider his previous charges. Evidently he never changed his ways. The penalty should be death. Along with habitual drug users, get rid of them all.
Oh please 10:47-what were you born yesterday? This guy didn't learn his lesson and if you think for one second he ever stopped drinking and driving you are living in LaLa Land. He just didn't get caught the previous times in between his "past" and this horrific crash.
No one should ever drink and drive. Ever. I don't even drink one sip of alcohol if I am driving.
The new experimental drug that is supposed to remove all urges and withdrawals from drugs and alchohol should be used on this guy (with his consent of course)
Thank you Matt and Karen!!!! The people support you. You are making a difference by not showing favoritism. RED, YELLOW, BLACK AND WHITE THEY ARE EQUAL IN HIS SIGHT AND IN YOURS TOO. Very proud to brag about our Wicomico State's Attorney.
Anonymous said...
His prior convictions should not be a factor in this case, especially since they are well in the past and many years between each one. If they were used in the trial, he should get a new trial.
May 22, 2014 at 10:47 AM
You must be a drunk who likes to drink and drive. You must be intoxicated to the point that you think you are now a judge and have to offer input on the case.
I noticed you didn't say anything good about the victims or their families in this case.
I bet you voted for Obama.
11:38 AM who are the RED and YELLOW people you are referring to?
Don't you people have a spouse or other person to argue with? Convicted and will be sentenced by the judge. Done, over, move on.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Actually they should consider his previous charges. Evidently he never changed his ways. The penalty should be death. Along with habitual drug users, get rid of them all.
May 22, 2014 at 11:08 AM
and which drugs do you use? are you ready to get strapped to the gurney?
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Oh please 10:47-what were you born yesterday? This guy didn't learn his lesson and if you think for one second he ever stopped drinking and driving you are living in LaLa Land. He just didn't get caught the previous times in between his "past" and this horrific crash.
May 22, 2014 at 11:11 AM
And does your crystal ball give out lottery numbers as well?
You must be a drunk who likes to drink and drive. You must be intoxicated to the point that you think you are now a judge and have to offer input on the case.
I noticed you didn't say anything good about the victims or their families in this case.
I bet you voted for Obama.
May 22, 2014 at 12:19 PM
And you are a presumptuous bigot. Everybody must be guilty of whatever they are defending eh? So I guess that makes you a teetotaler who never does anything wrong. People worship you every weekend.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Thank you Matt and Karen!!!! The people support you. You are making a difference by not showing favoritism. RED, YELLOW, BLACK AND WHITE THEY ARE EQUAL IN HIS SIGHT AND IN YOURS TOO. Very proud to brag about our Wicomico State's Attorney.
May 22, 2014 at 11:38 AM
favoritism? what are you talking about?
I noticed you didn't say anything good about the victims or their families in this case.
I bet you voted for Obama.
May 22, 2014 at 12:19 PM
Why would I say anything, good or bad, about the victims or the family? I don't know them. The one that died was riding with the drunk driver, so he is partially responsible for his own demise.
No, I didn't vote for obammy, either time. But I bet you did.
Now perhaps you could explain what that has to do with this?
There is no deterrent for drinking a driving. Hence why you see 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th offenses. And, that's just the reported cases, aka the come heres. If you threw in the amount of born here bust, and swept under the rug, that would sky rocket.
A jury found him guilty and since they were a jury of his peers that represent the public.
@ Why would I say anything, good or bad, about the victims or the family? I don't know them. The one that died was riding with the drunk driver, so he is partially responsible for his own demise.
The man that died in this crash had a history of DUI related incidents, including a DUI crash that broke his neck years ago, so it is horribly ironic that he was killed by a drunk driver.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
A jury found him guilty and since they were a jury of his peers that represent the public.
May 22, 2014 at 7:47 PM
did you just learn that in civics class and thought you would share it with the rest of us?
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