Delegate Wayne Norman to Introduce Tough New Hit-and-Run Legislation

Harford County Delegate Wayne Norman (District 35-A) announced today that he will introduce legislation to update and strengthen Maryland’s motor vehicle laws with respect to hit-and-run driving offenses.

The legislation, which will be formally introduced when the General Assembly reconvenes in January, will significantly increase the criminal and administrative penalties for drivers who leave accident scenes without stopping or rendering aid.

Delegate Norman’s effort to crack down on hit-and-run offenses is in response to last week’s deadly crash in Bel Air, caused by a driver who only hours before his Bel Air crash was cited by police for leaving the scene of a serious accident in Joppa. In the Joppa accident, the driver allegedly crossed the center line and hit an oncoming car carrying several children. The children were later taken to the hospital for medical evaluation. As reported in the media, the driver responsible for both accidents has a lengthily record littered with various driving and criminal offenses.

“Clearly, this driver had no business being behind the wheel following his hit-and-run offense in Joppa,” said Delegate Norman. “However, after examining Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Law, I now realize how relatively weak the current law is when it comes to most hit-and-run offenses. The law needs to be strengthened to reflect the seriousness and coldness of a driver who leaves the scene of an accident without assisting the victim or reporting the accident.”

Under Delegate Norman’s bill, hit-and-run situations that involve children or result in significant damage to a vehicle or other property will now be treated as a much more serious offense than under current law, subjecting the offender to fines and imprisonment six-times greater than the maximum penalty allowed today. The penalties for most other hit-and-run offenses will be increased, as well.

“Today, only hit-and-run violations that result in death or a serious physical injury subject an offender to tough repercussions,” Delegate Norman said. “That has to change.”

In addition to increasing both the minimum and maximum prison sentences for serious hit-and-run offenses, the legislation would increase the administrative penalties for drivers who leave an accident scene without stopping or rendering aid.

Under the legislation, leaving the scene of an accident without stopping or rendering aid will result in the immediate suspension of the offender’s driver’s license in situations when the accident results in death, bodily harm, or significant vehicular or other property damage. Moreover, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration will be required to further suspend or completely revoke the offender’s driver’s license following conviction, depending on the severity of the accident and the offender’s past driving record.

Delegate Norman, a Republican, stated that it his intention to introduce a bi-partisan bill that will include several Democratic and Republican co-sponsors.

Delegate Norman was one of several Harford County public officials who wrote to the Governor and Maryland Transportation Secretary John Porcari requesting the construction of a barrier wall along a dangerous stretch of the U.S. Rt. 1 Bypass in Bel Air, the site of the horrendous accident that took the lives of a young mother and her son.

“On The Move…Riding With Harford Transit” Meeting Set For Nov. 25 in Aberdeen

(Bel Air, MD – November 14, 2008) - - The Harford County Transportation Association meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 25, 2008 will offer a unique travel training session, “On the Move…Riding with Harford Transit.” Harford County employers from both the public and private sectors, whose employees access public transit, will benefit from attending this session. The meeting will take place from 9:00– 10:30 AM in Room 130 of the Higher Education and Applied Technology (HEAT) Center, 1201 Technology Drive in Aberdeen.

For the first time, Harford County employers can take advantage of Harford Transit services by understanding how to read the new schedules and how to plan trips. This practical and readily usable information can be applied immediately at the worksite to assist those employees who use public transportation to get to and from their workplace. Attendees will learn how to use Harford Transit efficiently and effectively.

Members of the Transportation Management Association are advocates for convenient, effective and efficient transportation to meet the needs of Harford County citizens, businesses, and government. For more information, contact Pat Fielder, Harford County Department of Community Services’ Rideshare Coordinator, at 40-638-3069.

Second Arrest Made In Havre de Grace Homicide Investigation

On October 8, 2008 at 10:55 pm the Havre de Grace Police Department received a call to investigate a report of a person lying in a private yard in the 100 block of Bloomsbury Avenue here in Havre de Grace.

Police located an African American male unresponsive and suffering from a wound to his neck, at that location. Paramedics arrived and the victim was pronounced deceased at 11:06 pm.

Crime Lab Personnel from the Aberdeen Police Department responded to assist in process the scene. A knife has been recovered and is being held for further forensic testing.

The victim has been identified as Christopher Adam Fisher, age 25 of Edgewood, Maryland.

Mr. Fisher died as the result of a homicide.

On October 9, 2008 members of the Havre de Grace Police Department Criminal Investigation Division arrested and charged an individual in the homicide of Christopher Adam Fisher.

Charged with 1st and 2nd degree murder, manslaughter and 1st degree assault is Johnny R. Serrano, age 19. He was initially arrested in the 3700 block of Rock Run Road, Havre de Grace, at his residence, for an unrelated outstanding fugitive warrant from Florida. After a short period of time, while in custody, he was charged in the death of Christopher Fisher, at the Havre de Grace Police Department.

On November 14, 2008, a second person was charged in connection with the death of Christopher Fisher. Danielle Nichole Totoro, age 24, of the 100 block of O’Neal Court, Havre de Grace, Maryland.

The defendant in this matter has been charged with Murder 1st Degree, Accessory after the Fact, Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotic, CDS Possess Not Marijuana and several other Controlled Substance violations. She was served at the Harford County Detention Center where she has been incarcerated since November 6, 2008 on CDS charges stemming from the homicide investigation of Mr. Fisher.

Bail Denied For Driver In Double-Fatal Bel Air Bypass Crash

The bail review hearing for Christopher H. Lentz was today, Friday November 14 in the District Court for Harford County. Lentz appeared view telecast from the Harford Detention Center. He was in a wheelchair, had a large scar on his forehead, a severally bruised right eye socket, and numerous cuts and abrasions on his recently shaven-bald face. The Public Defender stated that Lentz’s jaw was wired shut, that his eye socket was broken, that his knee was broken, and that he had numerous other broken and fractured bones.

The Public Defender further stated that because of his injuries and ties to the community, Lentz was not a flight risk and that bail should be reduced to $50,000. The approximately 75 people packing the court room murmurred “no” to the request, with evident disquiet.

It was also stated that Lentz is 37 years old, is a Perry Hall High School graduate, and has been living “with his folks” for four years, since he was divorced.

Lentz covered his forehead and broken eye socket with his hand while the prosecuting attorney described the accident scene and Lentz’ previous record. She stated that Lentz had 8 previous charges and 4 convictions for various charges including theft, heroin use, and distributing marijuana. Of more concern, she stated, was that Lentz had been in an accident earlier that day and that his driving record was poor. From the quick list the attorney read, Lentz’ driving record began when he was 19. He had a speeding ticket in 1990, a ticket for driving on a sidewalk in 1991, a ticket in 1992 and one in 1993, four convictions in 1994, ticket in 1999 and 2000, a DUI in 2004, and two convictions in 2005.

The crowd applauded when the judge ruled that Lentz would be denied bail.

Driver In Fatal Bel Air Bypass Crash Arrested And Charged With Vehicular Manslaughter

MARYLAND STATE POLICE ARREST MAN INVOLVED IN TWO HARFORD COUNTY CRASHES

(Bel Air, MD) – This evening the Maryland State Police have arrested the motorist involved in two Harford County crashes which occurred on Friday, November 7, 2008.

The accused is Christopher H. Lentz, 37, of the 5600-block of Bell Gwynn Road in Glen Arm, Maryland. He is charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter for the crash that occurred at about 5:00 p.m. on Friday which killed two people. These charges can result in a $5000 fine and/or ten years in prison. Additional charges are pending.

Lentz was arrested by Maryland State Police from the Bel Air Barrack at his home at approximately
5:00 p.m. this evening. He was taken to the barracks for processing and then transported to the Harford County central booking center to await an initial appearance before a court commissioner.

Harford Sheriff’s Office Encourages You To “Make A Difference - Protect Your Home!”

(Harford County, MD – November 10, 2008) There’s a lot we can do to keep our communities safe; and helping to keep communities safe is part of the Sheriff’s Office mission. The three elements necessary to commit a crime are desire, ability, and opportunity, also known as the crime triangle.

By increasing the risk of apprehension, increasing the effort required to commit an offense, and reducing the rewards available to the offender, it is possible to reduce the risk of victimization. By removing the opportunity for a criminal to commit a crime, we break the crime triangle and make it much more difficult for a criminal to operate in our community. The main objective of crime prevention is to reduce the opportunity for crime.

Amazingly 30-50 percent of home and apartment burglaries happen because a door or window was left opened. Therefore, the Sheriff’s Office encourages the community to be aware of their surroundings and immediately report suspicious incidents, persons, or vehicles. Citizens can reduce the opportunity for burglary by following these simple measures:

- lock all doors and windows, especially when not at home;

- maintain proper control over your house keys and garage door openers;

- make your house look “lived in” by using timers on lights and televisions;

- utilize proper security lighting;

- trim bushes and trees away from windows and doors;

- use peepholes before opening the door to anyone;

- and join or start a neighborhood watch program.

The Sheriff’s Office Community Policing Unit offers to Harford County numerous educational programs that address crime, prevention, personal safety & security, drug education, and protection of property.

If you are interested in having a deputy speak to your club, church group, or organization regarding a home security survey or another crime prevention program, please call 410-638-3625 or email your question to the Community Policing unit at communitypolicing@harfordsheriff.org

Harford’s Leaders Call For Median Barrier At Bel Air Bypass Fatal Crash Site

In the wake of Friday’s double-fatal accident on the Bel Air Bypass, Harford County elected officials have launched a focused effort requesting the Maryland State Highway Administration and Department of Transportation to take action and initiate a study or approve funding for the construction of protective median barriers along what they call a “dangerous highway.”

While each of the letters asks the state to move quickly on building a median barrier at the crash site, one letter from a contingent of Harford officials asks Gov. Martin O’Malley specifically to cancel plans to construct a roundabout on Route 155 in Level and funnel that money instead into a median barrier on the Bel Air Bypass. Continue reading Harford’s Leaders Call For Median Barrier At Bel Air Bypass Fatal Crash Site

Two Crashes, Two Deaths In Two Hours For Bel Air Bypass Driver

SAME INDIVIDUAL INVOLVED IN TWO HARFORD COUNTY CRASHES

(Bel Air, MD) – Maryland State Police have confirmed the individual involved in the Harford County fatal crash on Friday, November 7, 2008 had been involved in another crash less than two hours before.

Earlier on Friday afternoon, the Maryland State Police charged Christopher Lentz, 37, of the 5600-block of Bell Gwynn Road in Glen Arm, Maryland with the following: failure to drive right of center, failure to immediately stop vehicle at scene of accident, failure of driver involved in accident to give insurance policy information, and failure to control speed to avoid collision. The charges resulted from a crash that troopers from the Bel Air Barrack responded to at approximately 3:30 p.m.

The preliminary investigation reveals that Lentz was operating a 1999 Chevrolet Express van traveling northbound on Route 152, north of Greenspring Avenue in Joppa, Maryland. Lentz reportedly crossed over the center line and sideswiped a 2003 Ford van traveling southbound.

The operator of the Ford van, Karen Williams, 44, of the 1200-block of Old Mountain Road North in Joppa was transporting seven children between the ages of 3 and 16. Williams was not injured. The seven passengers were transported by ambulance to Upper Chesapeake Hospital for precautionary reasons.

While investigating the crash, state troopers located Lentz in his company vehicle about one-half mile north of the scene. The vehicle had been disabled as a result of the collision.

At approximately 5:00 p.m. that same evening, troopers from the Bel Air Barrack responded to a multi-vehicle crash on the Route 1 bypass north of Route 24 in Harford County. Lentz was the driver of the 2004 Jeep Cherokee involved in the crash.

Charges are pending on the second crash. Troopers from the Bel Air Barrack and the Maryland State Police CRASH team are consulting with the Harford County’s State Attorney regarding both incidents as the investigation continues.

Three-Vehicle Crash On Bel Air Bypass Traps Several People And Kills Two

The Bel Air Bypass was closed in both directions between Route 24 and Vale Road for about 7 hours Friday after a three-vehicle, head-on, double-fatality accident occurred around 5 p.m.

Four people were trapped in one of the vehicles - a minivan believed to be carrying several children - and two Medevac helicopters have transported the pediatric patients to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. A Johns Hopkins doctor was also transported to the scene of the accident by helicopter to help rescuers remove two additional victims who were said to be heavily entrapped in a vehicle. A third Medevac was on the way to take yet another pediatric patient to the hospital. Continue reading Three-Vehicle Crash On Bel Air Bypass Traps Several People And Kills Two

Edgewood Man Captured And Charged In Connection With Two Armed Robberies

(Harford County, MD – November 4, 2008) – Harford County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested David Patrick Jones, 24, of the 600 block of Boxelder Drive, Edgewood, MD in connection with two armed robberies.

On Wednesday September 17, 2008 at approximately 11:00 am, deputies responded to the Pharmacare Discount Pharmacy in the 2200 block of Emmorton Road, Abingdon, MD in reference to a reported armed robbery. Stolen during the robbery was over $12,000.00 worth of prescription narcotics. The suspect was described as a white male wearing a women’s stocking over his head, gray short sleeve shirt, khaki shorts, white tennis shoes, and white gloves.

On Saturday October 25, 2008 at approximately 12:40 pm, deputies responded to the Fallston Pharmacy in the 2100 block of Bel Air, Road, Fallston, MD for a reported robbery. Stolen during the robbery was over $10,000.00 worth of prescription narcotics.

The suspect was described as a white male wearing a women’s transparent stocking over his head, a white hooded sweatshirt, white jogging pants, and was armed with a black semi-automatic handgun.

An anonymous tip indicated that David Patrick Jones was involved in the above robberies. Detectives located witnesses and evidence leading back to Jones. Jones has been charged with two counts each of Armed Robbery, Robbery, Using a Handgun in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, Theft over $500.00 and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.

A warrant was issued on October 31, 2008 for Jones’ arrest in connection with the robberies. He was arrested shortly after midnight on November 1, 2008 without incident and transported to the Harford County Detention Center for processing.

As a result of a bond review hearing held on Monday November 3, 2008, he is being held in lieu of $750,000.00 for each robbery.

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