Shawn J. Soper
News Editor
OCEAN CITY — The holiday weekend in the resort was marred in part by tragedy when a pedestrian was struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver early Monday.
Around 1:20 a.m. on Monday, Ocean City Police responded to the area of 54th Street and Coastal Highway for a reported hit-and-run accident involving a pedestrian. The investigation revealed the pedestrian, later identified as Matthew Jude Cheswick, was attempting to cross Coastal Highway from east to west when he was struck by an Isuzu Rodeo traveling northbound in the bus lane.
After striking the victim, the driver, identified as Diogo Miller Facchini, 30, of Lorton, Va., continued to travel north on Coastal Highway before turning right on 55th Street, where witnesses followed his vehicle until he was apprehended by police. The preliminary investigation revealed Facchini was traveling at a speed exceeding the posted limit when he struck the victim. Cheswick was taken to PRMC where he was later pronounced deceased.
Facchini, who was not injured during the collision, was arrested and charged with homicide by motor vehicle while intoxicated, leaving the scene of a fatal collision, driving under the influence and while impaired and numerous other traffic violations. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and is being held on a $250,000 bond.
Big Flag Wave Pictures From Yesterday
Bill Funkhouser shared some photos from yesterday’s Memorial Day event on the beach. See www.facebook.com/thedispatchoc
Memorial Day Crowds On Par With Last Year’s Record-Setting Figures
Here’s a look at this year’s Memorial Day weekend population estimates compared to the last 20 years, based off demoflush estimates calculated by the Town of Ocean City.
2012: 281,812
2011: 281,895
2010: 254,717
2009: 270,421
2008: 226,748
2007: 259,823
2006: 239,789
2005: 216,371
2004: 242,286
2003: 197,725
2002: 237,791
2001: 216,038
2000: 242,730
1999: 248,446
1998: 234,961
1997: 204,972
1996: 224,621
1995: 249,722
1994: 260,432
1993: 278,468
1992: 259,212