The son of Harford County Council President Billy Boniface had a blood alcohol level between three and a half and four times the legal limit when he crashed his pick-up truck through a fence at the family’s Darlington farm last month, according to a report from the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Benjamin Boniface, 20, died of “multiple injuries” sustained in the early morning crash on June 18, including serious wounds to his face and chest, according to the autopsy report.
Toxicology tests run by the medical examiner’s office took four samples from various areas and found blood alcohol levels in Boniface’s body ranging from 0.27 percent to 0.34 percent. Those levels would not have risen after his death, according to Assistant Medical Examiner Dr. Pamela Southall, and reflect his blood alcohol content at the time of the crash.
The legal limit in Maryland above which an adult can be charged with driving under the influence is 0.08 percent, or 0.02 percent for minors such as Boniface.
No illegal drugs were found in Boniface’s system at the time of the crash, according to the report. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office said the same thing in its death investigation report about the crash but, at the time, inquiries into whether alcohol played a role were directed to the medical examiner’s report.
The autopsy report did not specify a time of death, and such reports do not usually include that information, according to representatives of the medical examiner’s records department.
According to the death investigation report prepared by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, a night watchman heard Boniface’s pick-up truck entering Bonita Farm on Harmony Church Lane in Darlington at approximately 1:30 a.m. June 18.
That same night watchman later found the truck at approximately 4:15 a.m. The vehicle had failed to negotiate a curve in the farm’s long driveway and crashed through a fence, shards of which penetrated the windshield, fatally injuring Boniface. The night watchman and Billy Boniface administered CPR before calling EMTs, who pronounced Benjamin Boniface dead at 4:58 a.m.
Sheriff’s Office investigators at the time could not specify whether the accident happened shortly after Boniface was heard returning home, or shortly before his vehicle was found. Agency spokeswoman Monica Worrell repeatedly directed requests on the matter to the medical examiner’s office; however, the office’s records department said specific times of death are not included in autopsy reports.
Billy Boniface has kept a low profile since the accident, and did not appear at the council’s June or July meetings. The council, which has been headed by Vice-President Dick Slutzky at its last two meetings, will not meet again until Sept. 4.
At its final summer meeting last week, District C Councilman Jim McMahan read a statement from the Boniface family which appears below:
I have been asked to convey the following thoughts tonight from President Boniface. No family is ever prepared for a tragedy the magnitude of which President Boniface and his family have had to endure. President Boniface has asked me to convey to everyone how much he and his family have appreciated the heartfelt condolences from one and all.
Ben dearly loved the Deer Creek, where he spent many an hour kayaking and playing his guitar. In particular, your thoughtful expressions of generosity to the memorial fund created to honor Ben are greatly appreciated by his family. Your contributions will be used to protect the beauty and tranquility of the lower Deer Creek. It will take a little time to get through all the thank yous, but in the meantime, Billy and Barb wanted me to express their gratitude to one and all on behalf of the entire Boniface family. Thank you.
Contributions to the memorial fund set up in Boniface’s memory to support conservation efforts on Deer Creek can be sent to:
Memorial Fund for Ben Boniface
c/o Harford Bank
8 W. Bel Air Ave.
Aberdeen MD 21001
Regardless of whether he was drunk or not, this is a tragedy. His family should not be put through anymore strain. I don’t really see why anyone else needs to know or should care. His son made a tragic mistake. I hope this story will go away soon.
Ryan I think the public deserves to know. I drove by the funeral and he got a full police escort with motorcycles and all. This is a tragic death and it should be a lesson a about the drinking problem in this county.
I agree that it should be a lesson about drinking and driving. No one should drink and drive. However, no one should lose their son either. I just think there is a time and a place. It is far too soon. They have a right to grieve.
How about donating to MADD instead of the Boniface memorial fund?
Feel free to donate to whomever or whatever organization you wish. If people donate on a regular basis maybe these tragedies would not happen.
While I agree they should have time to grieve,etc. I don’t see how the county can justify spending so much on his funeral. Was he not a citizen just like you and I? Because he happened to be related to the county council president makes him different? Just another example of politics overruling what is fiscally responsible.
Why should the county pay for that?
So rude to even ask questions likethat he was one of my bestfriends and the last thing any one wants to hear are people complaining about helpibg pay for a funeral of a 20 yr old. Screw you
I don’t know if the county spent money on it. I don’t think it is the time to deal with that.
When is the time Ryan. You want to get on here and complain about the schools. When do you complain about a police line of duty style funeral for a county council presidents son? Come on Burbey.
I will complain abut school funding later. I would like to afford the Council President time to grieve his son. I don’t know what I would do in his situation. I cannot imagine the grief and pain. I think we should afford our neighbors privacy and respect.
By all means express your gushing insincerety to someone who may be voting on your budget in the future.
Mr. Boniface and I differ on our political views but we are both fathers. I prefer to think more of our common humanity at times of strife. There will be a time for politics and budgets later but now is the time for empathy and respect. I would not want my comments about this topic to influence Mr. Boniface in any way, there are more important things than politics. Family comes first. Please respect the Boniface family and avail them the opportunity to deal with their tragedy.
You were the first to comment, so much for leaving them alone.
While we’re on the topic of common humanity.
How many families have you had evicted from your Baltimore City rental unit?
Zero. I have had to file eviction against several tenants but none have been families. If you don’t pay your rent, you need to find another place to live. I believe the evictions are a matter of public record. Look them up.
So you do believe in fiscal responsibility when it comes to things that directly impact your wallet?
Apples and Oranges…I also have never evicted a tenant the first time they missed the rent…
money is money except when it’s not your money
Do you know how many people attended Ben’s funeral? The county paid for the police escort because it was a safty hazard to the other county residence.
That’s right. People forget how to drive when they see a funeral or drink.
Given the number of funeral processions I’ve been in (way too many) or observed, you’d better believe people don’t know how to act around them. I’ve seen too many people who can’t wait another second, much less another minute or two or ten, for the procession to pass them because they just have to get to their hair salon or Timmy’s swimming lesson or whatever; so they jump the line and cut the procession in two, or nearly cause a pile-up when one of the mourners has to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the inconsiderate creep. I do not have a problem with this; and if the authorities deemed it excessive, I’m sure the Boniface family would make it good. But the one thing that the long-time local funeral directors know that the Baltimore-based morticians who have moved out into the county do not comprehend — and Lord knows I’ve tried to impress this upon them — is that, in fact, local LEO WANTS to know when they’re having processions, especially big ones, because they WANT to make sure traffic flows freely in and around the procession.
The time to deal with it is before you spend the money!
If the county spent money on this, it was the council or Mr. Craig not Mr. Boniface, since he can’t singularly approve expenditures and has not been at the meetings. Regardless, it is unrelated to his son’s tragic death and should not be mixed with it. Let the family grieve.
Still there are many big funerals why did this deserve a full escort. Tragic death yes. Tolitics getting a full police escort with motorcycles yes. I dont care who paid for it or authorized it. It shouldnt have happended.
Alfred,
1st: Learn to spell.
2nd: Be respectful.
3rd: Being “anti-government” does not give you the right to disrespect someone’s funeral. Keep your asshole comments to yourself.
A A.Im not disrespecting, what I am saying is how does this differ from an average citizen. B. Dont make fun of my schooling. C. If I call tomorrow and my family member dies will I get the same treatment? Ok Then. No
You will get the same treatment when your father is county council president and the family represents multiple generations of good works for the county – that being said the size of the funeral was much larger than ordinary; therefore out of respect for the family and safety for the participants and public escorts may have been necessary. I kinda think whatever minimal costs to the taxpayer pale in comparison to the good works from the Boniface family for decades. Bill Boniface has been council president for a very long time and has never wasted taxpayers money, in fact I’ve seen multiple occasions where he asked questions about expenditures clearly out of respect for our hard earned dollars. Those that want to rant about a minimal additional taxpayer expense in this case are total and complete morons.
Please show respect everyone. My family is not the only ones that are going through the pain of his loss. Its going to take all of us a while to move forward from this and reading the article and it’s comments is very upsetting. All that matters is he was an amazing person and would never do wrong against anyone. God bless him and heaven cherish him.
I truly am sorry for your loss and wish this had been kept private.
Ryan Burbey, what aspect of this do you wish had been kept private, and why?
All of it. I do not feel it serves any purpose for a grieving family to be dragged through a public recount of their son’s death. Perhaps the report could have waited until they had time to grieve.
My condolences to the Boniface family. He may have been an amazing person, but what he did was wrong and it cost him his life.
I am sorry for your loss but there is NO excuse for drinking and driving…NONE! This is the reason why.
I am sincerely sorry for your family’s loss. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child, and I cannot imagine how that pain must be magnified by the fact that his death was so easily preventable.
In addition to being sorry for your loss, I am also sorry this young man broke the law by consuming alcohol illegally and by driving drunk. I am relieved that this “amazing person who would never do wrong against anyone” didn’t kill or injure anyone but himself when he got drunk and drove that night.
Considering his family’s prominence, and the wide attention his death received, I hope his family and friends use this tragedy to try to educate the young people in this county about the dangers of underage drinking. It is possible that this young man’s tragic death could ultimately save the lives of others.
I also hope the parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles on here take the opportunity to have a long talk with the younger members of their families about this sort of behavior.
Why do you feel the need to belittle someone who has died? To feel better about yourself? Its amazing that your words might put a grieving mother over the edge, yet you do it anyway.
Although I disagree with Mr. Burbey with his past post on education/financial issues, he is absolutely correct in this case. Anyone that has lost a very close loved one, let alone a child, should not have to be put through this.
With regard to the use of police,it is common practice for large funerals in the name of safety and control. Similarly, they are used at many holiday services for the same reasons.
JJ at holiday services the police are paid for on overtime by the church. Not using county funds. Again I say sorry for the familys loss. That is not my point in this.
Not 100% true. Fact.
Alfred- I 100% agree with you!
It would seem to me that where ever he was drinking- and whoever he was with-holds some responsibility in this tragedy as well. Friends don’t let friends drive drunk! I have two drinking age sons-this scares me to death! In this day and age there is no excuse to drink and drive….call a cab…call a parent….stop this insanity!I feel for the family-so sad for them.
Scary that this can happen with all the education available out about drinking and driving. Lucky he did not hurt anyone else in this accident. The pain his family must feel is unimaginable. Where was he drinking?With whom was he drinking? Someone let him drive? These are the questions I would want to know. Call a cab! Call a parent! Stop this senseless drinking…run….swim….exercise…read. Find another activity to do people beside drinking beyond your sense of self!
Anne, he never left the farm that night. He was going from one end of it to the other. Not that it excuses drinking and driving, but I think might be under the impression that he was on the roads. Again, I’m not trying to justify any of it. And actually that’s what makes it all the more tragic. He was such a nice young man, one of the most modest and kindhearted people you could ever meet.
I don’t think that is an accurate statement. Reports are stating that he returned to the farm at 1.30am. I am glad that no one else was involved.
The night watchman heard him pass his location at 1:30am. The watchman would have been in the middle of the farm with the horses, not at the entrance of the farm. I too am glad that no one else was involved.
oH OK-I heard he was at a party and a bar before coming home. All of these rumors-who knows.
Mr. Boniface may be the county council, but that should not have any bearing on the fact that he lost his son! Why doesn’t everyone get off this soap box and leave the family alone to grieve. I lost my dad a few years back and we had police escorts(paid for by the county) because of the number of people that attended his funeral.
PLEASE leave the Boniface family alone!! Show respect. Every one of our children have made bad choices, this one turned out so tragic and it is something the family and everyone involved has to live with the rest of their lives. That alone will be tough!!
For those of you making negative comments on this article; please keep them to yourself. Every one of us has made mistakes in our lives. We aren’t in the public eye, so not everyone finds out about them.
Our county was showing respect for OUR county councilman. You should do the same.
Exactly…nuff said and thank you.
Regardless of whether he was drinking or not…this family has lost a child. Their lives have changed forever. The loss of a child is the most painful thing a parent can go through. They understand that he made a mistake, but that doesn’t lessen the pain they are feeling.
Those of you who have never lost a child…be glad. Give your kids an extra hug. For those of us who have, we would give anything to be able to give that hug.
Mom to Three – No one except a mother or father who has lost a child can EVER know the torture and pain that is with you for years to come. I hope to God none of the insensitive commenters here ever experience this pain as I and I think you have. You’re darned right. I’d give anything to hug my baby boy one more time.
I am very sorry that the family had to experience this loss of a beloved son. I do wonder though, isn’t the legal age for purchasing alcohol 21? Where did he get the alcohol and is that person going to be investigated? It may be too early in the investigation to determine this….someone should be held accountable.
You people are all so heartless. Do you have anything better to do with your time then sit behind a computer screen and seem all big and bad. Everyone who is saying rude and negative comments please get over yourselves. Who cares who was with him. Do you think they are not hurting inside either? He made the decision to drive and it was a private road so why does that matter? Please mind your own business and take into consideration that a life was just taken away from an amazing family. The bonifaces deserve to grieve without seeing all of these terrible things. Do any of you know how to show respect? Grow up please and let the kid rest in peace.
This is a very fragile and tragic occurrence. I can understand the need for some people to take advantage of a situation to vent their frustrations or much like the dagger, try and further their carers. I GET THAT, there will always be someone somewhere trying to bring others down for their own personal gain. This unfortunately is. how our messed up world operates. You know what else is messed up? There are two parents, a younger sister, and older brother, countless family members and friends, and a loving supporting community that have just lost one of their own. For those of you making these outlandish comments at this time, have you ever dealt with this situation before? If not, try to imagine losing something near and dear to you. If so, and your complaining about the taxpayer dollars being spent on the escort, have you lived in this county for your whole life? Ben loved Harford county with every ounce of his being. Everyone here is family, we take care of our own and we support each other with everything we’ve got. I know that I’m only contributing to the will of the dagger press by commenting but I feel it necessary. Whoever runs this newspaper certainly has never experienced a situation such as this and for that I cannot blame them. Everyones out to make a dollar, even if it comes from some family’s poor misfortune. I feel sorry for you and hope that you never have to feel the pain which we all feel.
Then with all of the family and support and friends why did he even drive drunk in the first place? Why did his family and friends teach him that driving drunk is not an option. I lost my brother to a drunk driver and it was the hardest thing my family has ever been through. Maybe I see things different since a drunk driver took his life away. There are always other options than getting behind the wheel and private road or not he could of picked another way of getting home.
How dare you say something like that? That was about the rudest thing I have ever heard. You honestly dont think the family didnt teach him not to drink and drive. Get over yourself and get a reality check. People make mistakes. Dont EVER I repeat EVER say that his family and friends werent supportive. And again this was PRIVATE PROPERTY. He was putting no one in harm. I cannot beleive there are people in this world like you and everyone else who are saying such rude things. Hopefully his mom does not read any of these comments because i know this would make her feel so terrible inside. Think about the parents, the younger sister and the older brother. Just take time and THINK about other people before yourself. You people have no hearts.
I do think about others and my life was changed the day a kid got behind the wheel of his car and took my brothers life away. I hope his friends and family do read that and in retrospect think that there was more that they could do. You can always pick up the phone and call a friend or family member for help. Your the one with no heart or respect!
B- See this from another side. My life was changed by a drunk driver. He was 19 years old and took my brothers life away. All I am saying is that there are always other options than getting behind the wheel when you are drinking. Parents should teach their kids that if they are drinking to call them, have them come and pick them up. There are always other option. My comment was not rude or heartless, just a different point of view.
B- See this from another side. My life was changed by a drunk driver. He was 19 years old and took my brothers life away. All I am saying is that there are always other options than getting behind the wheel when you are drinking. Parents should teach their kids that if they are drinking to call them, have them come and pick them up. My comment was not rude or heartless, just a different point of view.
B, Everyone would wish this never happened, but it did. The frustrations are not aimed at any one person, this just happens to be the forum that is addressing a huge problem that we all are frustrated with.
But those who think they are better off or in a higher authority level or worse yet in a political position are fully aware that when something happens be prepared for the fall out and this is the fall out.
You say it happened on private property, it did, but how did he get from point A to point B? he most likely traveled a county or state road or are you saying this all happened at him home? We will never know since the Sheriffs office did not complete an accident investigation.
With a under age person intoxicated the investigation should have continued to make sure all parties involved with him being served alcohol are delt with.
They stopped the investigation because of who the parent was. Why? If it was my son or daughter I would want to know who served him the alcohol, They are also responsible for this tragic incident.
I hope the family and friends remember they are supported by everyone, even the ones who you think are being negative would not wish this on anyone.
Exactly the point, the need for you to vent your frustration. We all get it, but were sure his family is seeing all this, are you all trying to make them feel worse? Whats the point in making these comments about their son. To make them feel what better. Come on now think if it was you.
If the story is posted on the news and asks for comments-people will comment-thats the way it works.It stinks for sad stories like, this I know-but it’s news. You can not get mad at people commenting unless they are totally disrespectful-which I have not seen as of yet.Someone having a family member who died because of a drunk driver is going to have a BIG opinion on this subject…can you blame them? It seems like every summer a young life with much promise-is lost every year due to a drunk driver or by carelessness of their own. it is a very sad subject that seems to bring out opinions and comments on either side-which is normal. I just say to keep it clean, informative and to remember that feelings on both sides of this can be very raw-to try to be sensitive of others’ Maybe next year we can have a summer without this happening again….call a friend…a parent ….anyone! Do not drive after drinking!Safety first and always.
This is an interesting story. It sells. But I’m not sure it rises to the level of “public interest” despite the fact that it involves a public official. We don’t always need to know the minutia of people’s lives.
Whenever a large group of people spontaneously or plan to congregate in public, our law enforcement officials have a duty to ensure the overall safety of the general public, regardless of the reason for the gathering. Call into question the law enforcement decision as you see fit.
Any behavior (including but not limited to mind altering substances) that carries the potential for harm to yourself or others can easily be construed as “irresponsible”, regardless of when, where, or how you pursue that behavior. There is a difference between describing behavior as irresponsible, and describing a person or persons as irresponsible.
There is a shared obligation, both on the commenters on this site to be mindful of what they say in a public forum, and on those friends and family of people in the news to refrain from reading those comments if they don’t have the wherewithal to endure them.
I appreciate many of the people taking the time to comment, which has been much more interesting reading than the story itself.
Bless the hearts and minds of those who knew him so that they find peace.
As the mother of now grown children that were raised in the more rural northern part of the county, this tragedy brought back the fears of their teen-age years. I think if the truth were told, this county would be appalled at the amount of drinking being done by under-age teens along with the driving they do to get anywhere.
Huge underage drinkning problem in this county. Needs to be priority one between pills and two with drinking we are loosing young lives and it needs to be stoppped. Sorry for your loss but maybe someting positive can come from this trsgic death.
The problem I have is that you cannot get a full funeral for a Baltimore County firefighter who loses his life(no fault)(RIP FF Chenowith) on his way to work. But you can get a full funeral for this. Deputies volunteered for the Baltimore County Firefighters funeral, because they couldn’t get the help they needed from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office traffic unit. Yes fact. I dont think that the Boniface family asked for this but it is a shame that this courtesy isn’t given to everyone, Why is everything so political?????? Again RIP FF Kurt Chenowith.
I do not believe that a Deputy who was 0.34 and involved in a vehicle accident which took his/her life would have received such support from the HCSO.
The Bonifaces are a brave tribe of the highest calibre. They work 7 days a week in a very dangerous business. They ride and train volatile horses which, at any point, could end any of their lives or render them critically injured.
There aren’t too many 20 yr old boys around any county that haven’t gotten tremendously drunk and driven a car down their driveway where they have lived all their lives.
Some might agree that this poor kid’s number came up.
My condolences to a fine family.