On August 31 , 2013 the Carroll County Times headlined, U. S. Virgin Island Woman Killed in Car Crash http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/updated-virgin-islands-woman-dies-in-two-car-collision/article_1a7d33cb-e812-5f8e-908a-6382786892fc.html. That woman was my aunt Mary Ann Golden Christopher.

The man that killed my aunt has not been charged.

Facts:

·         The driver ran a red light
·         Was driving  a stolen SUV
·         Had alcohol in the vehicle
·         Had marijuana in the vehicle

·         Was not tested for drugs or alcohol by the state police
·         His license was returned to him by the state police
·         Was not arrested or charged with her murder
·         Has more than 14 previous violations within the past 2 years
·         Has never made amends for her death
·         He is still driving

Maryland Transportation Article 16-205.1 (c) (1) does address substance testing for drivers involved in car accidents, however, it indicates that  the testing is at the discretion of the officers on the scene , per Kelley Galvin Senior Assistant State's Attorney for Carroll County. 

In the accident that involved my aunt, there were beer cans and marijuana present in the car that was clearly visible. Witnesses on the scene advised the officers, to no avail. The perpetrator of the accident was never tested. So while it is likely that this person was driving under the influence as he had on 4/8/2012 and was clearly driving wrecklessly as he had on numerous occasions, this man was never tested and is free to drive and kill again.

This law must be changed! It should not be up to the discretion of the officer on the scene. A standard for public safety must be set and maintainted for all drivers and not left to the discretion of an officer amidst the chaos of a catastrophic or fatal accident. We already have this standard for drivers of mass transit, train engineers, and truck drivers, it is time that all drivers on Maryland roads are accountable as well.