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Suspected drunk driver who fatally hit officer is charged with vehicular manslaughter Suspected drunk driver who fatally hit officer is charged with vehicular manslaughter
(about 2 hours later)
The suspected drunk driver who fatally struck a Montgomery County police officer working on DUI-enforcement two months ago was indicted Thursday on a charge of vehicular manslaughter, according to police officials. The suspected drunk driver who fatally struck a Montgomery County police officer working on DUI-enforcement two months ago was indicted Thursday for vehicular manslaughter, according to police officials.
Luis Gustavo Reluzco, 47, of Olney faces up to 10 years in prison. Because the charge is considered a “non-violent” offense under Maryland parole rules, Reluzco would be eligible for parole consideration after serving 25 percent of his sentence. Luis Gustavo Reluzco, 47, of Olney, faces up to 10 years in prison. Because the charge is considered a “non-violent” offense under Maryland parole rules, Reluzco would be eligible for parole consideration after serving 25 percent of his sentence.
The death of Officer Noah Leotta, 24, devastated his family and was felt deeply by fellow officers and citizens. He was an energetic, likable officer who had made catching drunk drivers one of his passions.The death of Officer Noah Leotta, 24, devastated his family and was felt deeply by fellow officers and citizens. He was an energetic, likable officer who had made catching drunk drivers one of his passions.
The case also has spurred efforts to toughen laws and penalties for drunken driving in Maryland. On Wednesday, state lawmakers and officials with Mothers Against Drunk Driving held a news conference touting a bill — dubbed Noah’s Law — that would require wider use of breath-test devices that prevent drivers who have been drinking from being able to start their cars. The case also has spurred efforts to toughen laws and penalties for drunk driving in Maryland. On Wednesday, state lawmakers and officials from Mothers Against Drunk Driving held a news conference touting a bill — dubbed Noah’s Law — that would require wider use of breath-test devices that halt drivers from s tarting their cars if they’ve been drinking.
[Driver who fatally struck Md. officer had been drinking at restaurant, police say][Driver who fatally struck Md. officer had been drinking at restaurant, police say]
Reluzco could not be reached to comment Thursday, and he has not returned calls left in recent weeks seeking an interview. His attorney, John Roth, also could not be reached immediately. Reluzco turned himself in to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Thursday afternoon, in the company of his attorney, John Roth, and was then taken to the county jail.
“Words cannot express how sorry and remorseful he is for what occurred,” Roth said, adding, “there are no excuses, he makes no excuses.”
Roth said Reluzco had been driving over the legal limit, but he did not know his client’s exact blood-alcohol concentration.
The indictment filed in court Thursday, as is standard for such documents, does not provide details of the alleged offenses. But it represents the first criminal charges in the case, which investigators have been working on since the Dec. 3 crash.The indictment filed in court Thursday, as is standard for such documents, does not provide details of the alleged offenses. But it represents the first criminal charges in the case, which investigators have been working on since the Dec. 3 crash.
According to a police incident report, Reluzco told an officer at the crash scene that he’d had “too much” to drink and had been driving from a nearby Hooters bar and restaurant. Reluzco also had smoked marijuana before the collision, Montgomery Police Chief Tom Manger said in December. According to a police incident report, Reluzco told an officer at the crash scene he’d had “too much” to drink, and had been driving from a nearby Hooters bar and restaurant. Reluzco also had smoked marijuana before the collision, Montgomery Police Chief Tom Manger said in December.
Reluzco also was indicted for a traffic violation — failure to avoid a stopped emergency vehicle, commonly known as the “move-over” law. The offense carries a fine of $750 in the case of death or serious injury. Reluzco also was indicted for a traffic violation: Failure to avoid a stopped emergency vehicle, commonly known as the “move-over” law. The offense carries a fine of $750 in the case of death or serious injury.
In other cases involving alleged fatal drunken-driving crashes, grand juries have also indicted defendants on charges of homicide by vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. But even if Reluzco were to be convicted of that charge and of vehicular manslaughter, the sentences likely wouldn’t be added together, because they relate to a single incident, according to longtime Maryland attorneys asked about the case. Reluzco has worked as a bartender at the Bethesda Country Club, according to a LinkedIn profile that shares his name. In December, after the crash, a spokesman for the club said Reluzco was “on leave” but declined to comment further about him.
Reluzco’s attorney, Roth, said his client has spent much of his life in Montgomery County, where he now helps raise a grandson. Reluzco normally drove straight home from work.
“He is a decent human being,” Roth said, and realizes the gravity of his actions. Reluzco has been praying daily for the Leotta family and will do so “for the remainder of his life,” Roth said.
In other cases involving fatal drunk driving crashes, grand juries have indicted suspects on two charges: Vehicular manslaughter and homicide while driving drunk, the latter carrying a maximum sentence of five years. But had the grand jury done so in the case, the counts couldn’t be combined at sentencing, according to longtime Maryland attorneys asked about the case.
“You can’t be punished twice for the same wrongful act,” said David Felsen, a defense attorney in Rockville.“You can’t be punished twice for the same wrongful act,” said David Felsen, a defense attorney in Rockville.
It’s unclear whether Reluzco, if convicted of the top charge, would get the full 10 years. According to a recent analysis by police officials of similar cases in Montgomery, sentences in vehicular manslaughter cases averaged four years. It’s unclear if Reluzco, if convicted of the top charge, would get the full 10 years. According to a recent analysis by police officials of similar cases in Montgomery, sentences in vehicular manslaughter cases averaged four years.
On the night of Dec. 3, Reluzco, after leaving Hooters, got behind the wheel of his Honda CR-V and drove north on Rockville Pike, police said. The night of Dec. 3, after leaving Hooters, Reluzco got behind the wheel of his Honda CR-V and drove north on Rockville Pike, police said.
Just one mile away, Leotta had already pulled over a car in the right-hand lane. With his lights still flashing, he slanted his car to protect himself, got out and approached that driver, according law enforcement officials. Then, as he was walking back to his cruiser to step inside, he was exposed briefly to traffic. Just one mile away, Leotta had already pulled over a car in the right-hand lane. With his lights still flashing, he slanted his car to protect himself, got out, and approached that driver, according law enforcement officials. Then, as he was walking back to his cruiser to step inside, he was exposed briefly to traffic.
It is at that point, according to the investigation of the crash, that Reluzco’s CR-V slammed into the back of Leotta’s cruiser. The CR-V then struck Leotta, who suffered massive head injuries and was rushed to Suburban Hospital in Bethesda.It is at that point, according to the investigation of the crash, that Reluzco’s CR-V slammed into the back of Leotta’s cruiser. The CR-V then struck Leotta, who suffered massive head injuries and was rushed to Suburban Hospital in Bethesda.
[Numbed by death of colleague. police tear up seeing kids lining procession route][Numbed by death of colleague. police tear up seeing kids lining procession route]
Reluzco stayed at the scene and was behind the wheel of his CR-V when another officer approached, according to the incident report. The vehicle showed significant front-end damage, and when Reluzco spoke, his speech was “slurred,” according to the report.Reluzco stayed at the scene and was behind the wheel of his CR-V when another officer approached, according to the incident report. The vehicle showed significant front-end damage, and when Reluzco spoke, his speech was “slurred,” according to the report.
He was asked to step out of the car. He failed a “walk and turn” test and declined to try a one-leg stand, according to the report. “I choose not to do that, because I had too much to drink,” the report says he told the officer.He was asked to step out of the car. He failed a “walk and turn” test and declined to try a one-leg stand, according to the report. “I choose not to do that, because I had too much to drink,” the report says he told the officer.
He generally had trouble standing straight. “My balance won’t let me do it, probably because I drank too much,” Reluzco said, according to the incident report.He generally had trouble standing straight. “My balance won’t let me do it, probably because I drank too much,” Reluzco said, according to the incident report.
He was taken to a police station, where he refused to submit to a breath test, police said. Because of the nature of Leotta’s injuries, officers were able to order a blood sample from Reluzco, which they obtained at Shady Grove Hospital, according to the report and officials. The results of those tests have not been made public. He was taken to a police station, where he refused to give a breath test, police said. Because of the nature of Leotta’s injuries, officers were able to order a blood sample from Reluzco, which they obtained at Shady Grove Hospital, according to the report and officials. The results of those tests have not been made public.
Leotta survived for a week in the hospital, dying on Dec. 10.Leotta survived for a week in the hospital, dying on Dec. 10.
Reluzco had been arrested twice before on drunken-driving charges, in 1988 and 1990, according to county police.Reluzco had been arrested twice before on drunken-driving charges, in 1988 and 1990, according to county police.
Reluzco has worked as a bartender at the Bethesda Country Club, according to a LinkedIn profile that shares his name. In December, after the crash, a spokesman for the club said that Reluzco was “on leave” but declined to comment further.
[Maryland officer killed on duty is laid to rest][Maryland officer killed on duty is laid to rest]
A manager at the Hooters previously declined to comment and referred inquiries to a national spokeswoman. In a December statement, the restaurant chain said it was saddened to learn of Leotta’s death and was “keeping his family in our thoughts and prayers. At this time it would be inappropriate for Hooters to comment further on the matter or the investigation.” A manager at the Hooters previously declined comment and referred inquiries to a national spokeswoman. In a December statement, the restaurant chain said it was saddened to learn of Leotta’s death and is “keeping his family in our thoughts and prayers. At this time it would be inappropriate for Hooters to comment further on the matter or the investigation.”