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Teen driver in deadly Maryland crash pleads guilty Teen driver in deadly Maryland crash pleads guilty; car was airborne 110 feet
(about 2 hours later)
The teenage driver in an alcohol-related crash in Maryland that killed two recent graduates of Wootton High School pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of vehicular manslaughter during a proceeding in which prosecutors said the car went airborne for more than 100 feet.The teenage driver in an alcohol-related crash in Maryland that killed two recent graduates of Wootton High School pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of vehicular manslaughter during a proceeding in which prosecutors said the car went airborne for more than 100 feet.
Samuel Ellis, 19, once Wootton’s star quarterback, was scheduled to face a trial starting Monday morning in the June crash, which claimed the lives of Calvin Li and Alex Murk, both 18 years old and members of Wootton’s class of 2015. Samuel Ellis, 19, once Wootton’s star quarterback, was scheduled to face trial starting Monday morning in the June crash, which claimed the lives of Calvin Li and Alex Murk, both 18 years old and on the brink of attending college.
The wreck in North Potomac followed a teen drinking party at a home where underage students drank beer and vodka, according to police. The teenage host’s father was in the house, police said. The wreck in North Potomac followed a teen party at a home where underage students drank beer and vodka, according to police. The teenage host’s father was in the house, police said.
[‘We felt invincible’: Report details deadly wreck, party that preceded it][‘We felt invincible’: Report details deadly wreck, party that preceded it]
“This holds Mr. Ellis accountable for the deaths of his friends,” said Ramon Korionoff, spokesman for the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s office. The plea agreement is a major turning point in a case that has left the Wootton community reeling for most of the past year and sparked a legislative effort to crack down on adults who permit teen drinking parties.
The plea agreement comes as a major turning point in a case that has left the Wootton community reeling for most of a year and sparked an effort to crack down on adults who permit teen drinking parties. A bill advancing in Annapolis would increase penalties, including jail time, for adults who host such parties. The bill must receive final approval before the legislature adjourns on Monday. Ellis faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced June 3. Maryland sentencing guidelines, which are not binding, call for a punishment of three months to eight years.
Ellis faces up to 20 years when he is sentenced on June 3. Maryland sentencing guidelines, which are not binding, call for a punishment of 3 months to 8 years.
The plea agreement was reached Friday morning, about two hours before Ellis appeared in court in front of Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Robert Greenberg.The plea agreement was reached Friday morning, about two hours before Ellis appeared in court in front of Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Robert Greenberg.
[Md. panel votes to stiffen penalties for underage drinking parties][Md. panel votes to stiffen penalties for underage drinking parties]
Assistant State’s Attorney Mark Anderson spoke in court, describing the crash. Assistant State’s Attorney Mark Anderson described the crash in court.
“Mr. Ellis was driving his vehicle at an absolute bare-bones minimum of 65 miles an hour on Dufief Mill [Road] where it’s a 35 mile an hour speed limit,” Anderson said. “He lost control, went into a culvert, and his car went airborne. It traveled about 110 feet in the air, approximately, struck two trees, which ripped the vehicle apart. It landed on its hood and slid to a stop in a driveway.” “Mr. Ellis was driving his vehicle at an absolute bare-bones minimum of 65 miles an hour on Dufief Mill [Road], where it’s a 35-mile-an-hour speed limit,” Anderson said. “He lost control, went into a culvert, and his car went airborne. It traveled about 110 feet in the air, approximately, struck two trees, which ripped the vehicle apart. It landed on its hood and slid to a stop in a driveway.”
Anderson said that after the crash, Ellis’s blood was tested for alcohol. The first test came back at 0.09. A test an hour later showed 0.07. In Maryland, a driver can be convicted of driving of driving under the influence of alcohol at 0.08 or higher. Anderson said that after the crash, Ellis’s blood was tested for alcohol. The first test came back at a level of 0.09. A test an hour later showed 0.07. In Maryland, a motorist can be convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol at 0.08 or higher.
Anderson said that based on alcohol and speed, Ellis was driving in a “grossly negligent” way.Anderson said that based on alcohol and speed, Ellis was driving in a “grossly negligent” way.
Ellis’s attorney, McAuliffe, accepted Anderson’s account, other than saying that a crash reconstruction expert he retained calculated a different speed – 50 to 56 mph. But McAuliffe said that had no bearing on his client’s guilt. Ellis’s attorney, Michael McAuliffe, accepted Anderson’s account, other than saying that a crash-reconstruction expert he retained calculated a different speed — 50 to 56 mph. But McAuliffe said that had no bearing on his client’s guilt.
The Murk family was in the courtroom Friday and left the courthouse shortly after the proceeding. After court, McAuliffe said his client accepts blame for what happened. “Sam absolutely insists on taking responsibility,” he said.
Ellis’s attorney, Michael McAuliffe, said his client accepts blame for what happened. Murk had plans to go to Penn State University. His parents, Pamela and David Murk, said in a statement Friday that their son had lived a “short but wonderful 18 years.”
“Sam absolutely insists on taking responsibility,” McAuliffe said. The Murks said that while the plea relieves them of sitting through painful days of trial, it was long overdue; they questioned why Ellis did not admit guilt months ago.
Prosecutors did not provide details about the length of sentence they would recommend in June. “We certainly will ask for some jail time,” Korionoff told reporters after the proceeding. The Murks called for a sentence that not only severely punishes Ellis but “sends a crystal-clear message to society as a whole — that this behavior will not be tolerated.”
The Wootton case has focused sharp attention on teen drinking parties and a parent culture that appears to condone them. Li, who had played wide receiver on Wootton’s football team, planned to go to the University of Maryland, friends have said. His family could not be reached for comment Friday.
Ellis had plans to attend the University of South Carolina. He is living in the area and still recovering from injuries from the wreck, according to his attorney.
Prosecutors did not provide details about the length of the sentence they will recommend in June. “We certainly will ask for some jail time,” spokesman Ramon Korionoff said.
The Wootton case has focused sharp attention on teen drinking parties and a parent culture that appears to condone them. A bill advancing in Annapolis would increase penalties, including jail time, for adults who host such parties. Lawmakers were expected to take it up Saturday.
[‘This must stop’: Principal implores parents not to host teen drinking parties][‘This must stop’: Principal implores parents not to host teen drinking parties]
Kenneth Saltzman, father of the teenager that hosted the party preceding the Wootton crash, pleaded guilty to two criminal citations for allowing underage drinking at his North Potomac home and was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, the maximum. Kenneth Saltzman, the father of the teenager who hosted the party preceding the crash, pleaded guilty to two criminal citations for allowing underage drinking at his home and was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, the maximum.
Ovetta Wiggins contributed to this report.Ovetta Wiggins contributed to this report.