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Thursday, August 21, 2014

DRUNK DRIVER HITS PEDESTRIAN AND ATTEMPTS TO FLEE

8-20-14 Ped Collision On August 17, 2014, at approximately 2:20 a.m. Ocean City police responded to the area of 55th Street and Coastal Highway for a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. Upon arrival, officers witnessed a male, later identified as Lester A. Simpson, 32, of Salisbury, MD, attempting to move the vehicle out of the roadway and away from the scene.
During the on-scene investigation, officers determined that another male, later identified as Branden C. Whitley, 31, of Salisbury, was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the collision. Whitley had attempted to flee the scene on foot but was quickly located by officers nearby on 55th Street.
The pedestrian, a 21-year-old female of Willow Grove, PA, was treated on scene by Ocean City EMS and transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries. She was released from hospital care on August 18. The pedestrian was not in a crosswalk when she attempted to cross Coastal Highway.
Upon contact with Simpson and Whitley, officers suspected that both were under the influence of alcohol and administered field sobriety tests. Both were unable to complete the tests successfully and were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Ocean City police have charged Whitley with multiple charges including driving under the influence, failure to remain at the scene of a collision, failure to exercise due care to avoid a pedestrian and many more. Simpson was charged with multiple driving under the influence charges and was released on his own personal recognizance. Whitley has since been transferred to the Worcester County Jail on $25,000 bond.
Citizens are reminded to Walk Smart! in Ocean City and always use marked crosswalks when attempting to cross Coastal Highway and all other city streets. The Ocean City Police Department is committed to enforcing drunk driving and pedestrian safety and encourages everyone to use the many safe modes of transportation available.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

AND the driver was texting when the incident occurred.

Anonymous said...

Did the pedestrian get a ticket for not using the cross walk?

Anonymous said...

Exactly. Victim or not still broke the law.

Anonymous said...

He wanted to leave because he saw that the girl that hit the pedestrian and left OC got a suspended sentence and a small fine, all because she was black and OC didn't want to be labeled "Racist".

Anonymous said...

Ocean city used to be a fun safe place.

Anonymous said...

How could he run very fast with 5 pounds of hair on his head?

Anonymous said...

Wtf was they doing

Anonymous said...

R u serious that firl ahoukd be in jail she was and any other time they would arrewst someone