Decatur Junior Killed, Older Brother Injured In Accident

Decatur Junior Killed, Older Brother Injured In Accident
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BERLIN — One local teen died, another remains in the hospital and a third young man has likely had his life changed forever after last Friday’s accident on Route 113 involving a Maryland State Police trooper and two pedestrians near Bay Street in Berlin.
Around 8 p.m. on Friday, a Maryland State Police trooper on routine patrol in an unmarked patrol car was headed north on Route 113 approaching Bay Street when he collided with two local teenage brothers. According to MSP reports, for reasons unknown at this time, the two brothers crossed Route 113 from east to west in the area of Bay Street and ran directly into the path of the approaching MSP patrol car.
The trooper attempted to take evasive action, according to authorities, but was unable to avoid striking both teens. The trooper, identified as Nicholas Hager, 21, a one-year veteran assigned to the MSP Berlin barrack, immediately called for emergency medical services and began to provide emergency care to both teens.
One of the teens, identified as Tymeir D. Dennis, 16, of Maple Court in Berlin, was transported by ambulance to Atlantic General Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Dennis’ teenage brother, identified as Tyheym D. Bowen, no age given, was transported first to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury before being transferred by air to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center for treatment. The trooper was transported by Maryland State Police personnel to AGH due to injuries sustained during the crash.
According to MSP Public Information Officer Sgt. Marc Black, Hager was treated and released. Black said there was no new information available on the condition of Bowen. Command staff from the MSP Berlin barrack responded to the scene to oversee the ongoing investigation. There has been no determination of the speed of the trooper’s vehicle at this stage in the investigation. The investigation is being conducted by the Maryland State Police Crash Team and is ongoing. Black said a detailed crash reconstruction will take place.
“This is an unfortunate accident,” he said. “A very detailed investigation will take place and the findings will be turned over to the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office for a thorough review, as per Maryland State Police protocol.”
Dennis was an 11th-grade student at Stephen Decatur High School, while Bowen graduated from Decatur last spring. As the news spread in the hours following the accident, Worcester County Public Schools officials began preparing to console and counsel students, family, friends and the entire community.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Tymeir Dennis, an 11th-grade student from Stephen Decatur High School,” said Superintendent Jerry Wilson on Saturday. “It is devastating to lose a young life. It brings immeasurable grief to our entire community.”
To help students through the grieving process, the school system activated “Life Lines,” a crisis response program that placed additional school counselors at Decatur and the Worcester Technical High School, where Dennis was also enrolled in the Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) program.
“Additional counselors will remain at Stephen Decatur and Worcester Technical High Schools for as long as students need the additional support,” said Coordinator of School Counseling Donna Main, who facilitates the Life Lines program. “School counselors, at schools where Tymeir had siblings, will also be closely monitoring the needs of the siblings and their classmates.”
Also involved in the accident was Dennis’ older brother, Tyheim Bowen, a 2013 Decatur graduate who reportedly remained in the hospital at Shock Trauma as of mid-week. Decatur Principal Tom Zimmer called on the school family and the entire community to support the family.
“Our hearts go out to Tymeir’s family and classmates,” Zimmer said on Saturday. “It is an unthinkable loss when a teenager passes so unexpectedly. We are also praying for Tyheim’s recovery. As a community, we will pull together to support one another. We need to keep the family in our thoughts and prayers.”
Berlin Mayor Gee Williams also attempted to console the family and called on the community for prayer and support with a letter to the teens’ parents read into the record at the Mayor and Council meeting on Tuesday.
“I know there are no words that begin to diminish the sorrow of the loss of Tymeir or the suffering endured by Tyheim as a result of the tragic accident on U.S. 113 Friday evening,” the letter reads. “Please know our hearts go out to these fine young men and to you as their parents. I have lived long enough that I know I do not always understand God’s plan for us, but that faith and love ultimately triumph in all circumstances. On behalf of myself, the entire town council and the community of Berlin, please accept our prayers for a full recovery by Tyheim and the comfort of knowing Tymeir is now in the loving embrace of the good lord.”