Monday, June 29-Police Probe Fatal Bridge Crash

OCEAN CITY – A local man has been charged with negligent homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence, along with numerous other offenses, after he struck and killed a bicyclist on the Route 50 Bridge last week and fled the scene.

According to the Maryland State Police Berlin barrack, on Friday, June 26 at 2:26 a.m., troopers were dispatched to the Route 50 Bridge for a hit-and-run accident. The initial investigation revealed that a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado, being operated by Daniel Bren, 34, of Berlin, was traveling west bound on the bridge when he came upon two bicyclists who were traveling in the roadway. Both bicyclists were struck from behind, ejecting them on to the roadway.

One of the bicyclists, Edward Joseph Zisk, 41, was pronounced dead on the scene, while the other, Maxim Matuzov, 20, was believed at the time to have suffered non-life-threatening injuries, although he was taken to a local hospital.

After colliding with the bicyclist, Bren reportedly sped away, continuing to head west on Route 50, before turning on to Golf Course Road in West Ocean City. Sources report Bren turned on Center Drive, reaching high speeds, before turning on Keyser Point Road and returning to Route 50. A trailing taxicab driver, witnessed the incident, followed Bren, updating police as to his whereabouts along the way. Bren was eventually pulled over near the WAC Center on Route 50 by police and arrested.

Bren was charged with numerous criminal and traffic offenses including negligent homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence, driving under the influence of alcohol and failing to remain at the scene of an accident involving the death of another. He is currently scheduled for a court appearance on July 27.

Police are reportedly continuing to investigate the incident.

For the complete story, and all the other news of the week, see The Dispatch on Friday morning.