SNOW HILL — A Berlin man pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with a June 2009 hit-and-run that left one bicyclist dead and another injured along the Route 50 bridge.
Daniel Matthew Bren, 35, struck a plea agreement in which he pleaded guilty to negligent manslaughter by automobile and leaving the scene of an accident. Several other charges, including driving under the influence, were dropped by prosecutors, who also sought restitution for funeral expenses.
>>[B’ Spokes: The legality of striking a plea bargain has always bothered me, maybe Mr. Bren is getting enough punishment for his past actions but removal of the DUI convection serves no purpose other then to lessen future charges if he drinks and drives again in the future.]
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Manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison. Leaving the scene is a one-year maximum sentence.
"You’re going to be incarcerated for a long time," the judge said. "I’m sure you’re aware of how serious this is."
Maryland State Police said Maxim Matuzov, 20, and Edward Joseph Zisk, 41, were riding bikes west on the Harry W. Kelley Memorial Bridge when they were struck from behind by Bren’s 2006 Chevrolet Silverado.
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Prosecutors said a taxi driver saw what happened, called police and followed Bren’s truck. According to the taxi driver’s account, one of the bicycles was trapped under the truck, making sparks. It soon became dislodged.
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Police said they pulled him over, they found him glassy eyed and disoriented behind the wheel. He had an open container of beer in the truck. Later, Bren was found to have a blood alcohol content of .25.
"Why were they in front of my truck?" Bren told troopers, according to prosecutors’ court testimony. "Why do people always have to be walking and riding bikes over there?"
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>>[B’ Spokes: With a statement like that, they should throw the book at him. It’s bad enough that he was drinking and driving but such a disregard to human life is unconscionable.]
https://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20100417/NEWS01/4170355oldId.20100421085033759
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