Friday, August 21-Judge Orders Home Detention For Fatal Hit-And-Run Suspect

SNOW HILL – A Berlin man facing serious charges including negligent homicide by motor vehicle after a hit-and-run accident on the Route 50 Bridge that claimed the life of another local man had an initial hearing last week in District Court and was placed on home detention pending trial, which has now been set for Oct. 20.

Around 2:26 a.m. on June 26, Maryland State Police troopers were dispatched to the Harry Kelley Memorial Bridge for an alleged hit-and-run accident involving a motor vehicle and two bicyclists. The investigation revealed a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Daniel M. Bren, 34, of Berlin, was traveling in the far right lane of the bridge when it struck two bicyclists, who were riding in the travel lanes, from behind.

The two victims, identified as Edward Joseph Zisk, 41, and Maxim Matuzov, 20, both of Ocean City, were ejected from their bicycles. Matuzov sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to PRMC for treatment. His condition remains unknown this week. Zisk, however, was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to police reports, Bren allegedly continued west across the bridge after the collision and was later apprehended after a high-speed attempt to flee the scene. A cab driver traveling on the bridge called 911 and pursued the suspect as he continued across the bridge after the collision. The cab driver stayed on the line with the 911 dispatcher as she pursued the Silverado first down Golf Course Rd. in West Ocean City and across Center Drive to Keyser Point Rd., where she lost sight of the allegedly fleeing driver.

A short time later, Maryland State Police troopers contacted the cab driver and told her the suspect had been stopped on westbound Route 50 near the WAC Center. Police advised the cab driver and her fare to proceed to the arrest site to identify the truck and the suspect. At the scene of the stop, Bren was administered field sobriety tests and was found to be operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, according to police reports.

Bren was arrested and charged with numerous criminal and traffic violations including negligent homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence.

Bren appeared in District Court for a preliminary hearing last Friday during which Judge Gerald Purnell set his trial date in October and ordered him held on home detention until that time.

“This is a relatively serious matter and I would ask for a 60-day window for the trial,” the judge said. “I would also ask Mr. Bren be placed on home detention effective tomorrow.”