Traffic Collisions Drop

OCEAN CITY — In 2013, Ocean City saw a remarkable 14-percent decrease in traffic collisions compared to prior years, and with 2014 drawing to a close in a month, the OCPD is optimistic for another decline in accidents although is rests largely in the hands of those traveling the resort’s roadways.

“The driver is ultimately responsible for their own safety,” said OCPD Chief Ross Buzzuro this week. “If citizens choose to drink alcohol, we strongly recommend that they have a designated driver, call or cab or catch a city bus. And of course, we went everyone using a seatbelt in every seat, every time they get in a vehicle.”

From 2009 to 2013 in Maryland, 856 people were killed in impaired-related crashes, accounting for one third of all traffic fatalities across the state. In addition, almost 600 people died in crashes where they were not wearing a seatbelt.

“Our law enforcement partners are out there strictly enforcing our laws, particularly when it comes to impaired driving and seatbelts,” said MVA Administrator and Governor’s Representative for Highway Safety Milt Chaffee. “We are committed to our goal of moving toward zero deaths on Maryland’s roads and a driver making the right choices means that we can stop needless and preventable tragedies from occurring.”

More than 400 people were arrested for DUI in Ocean City in 2013 and there were hundreds of seat belt citations issued. Penalties for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are severe, including thousands of dollars in fines and fees, not to mention the increased risk of crashes associated with impaired driving. Drivers face fines of $83 for failing to wear a seatbelt, a law that is enforceable in both the front and back seats.

Fatal Accident Probe

SELBYVILLE, Del. – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a single-vehicle crash that killed one person and seriously injured another.

The incident occurred at approximately 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, as Daniel A. Vargas, 30, of Salisbury, was operating a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder eastbound on Cypress Road (SR54) approximately two miles west of Cliff Road.  The Nissan was traveling at an apparent high rate of speed when it approached a sharp curve to the right and began rotating in a clockwise direction.  The Pathfinder then exited the south side of the roadway and began to overturn on the driver’s side before colliding with a tree on the south shoulder of the roadway.  The SUV came to stop in the upright position with very heavy passenger compartment intrusion, entrapping the male operator.

Vargas, who was properly restrained, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A passenger in the vehicle, Enrique Castillo-Muniz, 25, of Salisbury, was also properly restrained and was transported by State Police Aviation (Troop 2) to Christiana Medical Center where he was admitted in serious condition.

Cypress Road (SR54) between Cliff Road and Daisey Road was closed for approximately three hours as the crash was investigated and cleared. Speed and wet roads may have been contributing factors in this crash.

Guilty Pleas In Burglaries

SNOW HILL — Three of the five suspects arrested in June in connection with a spree of motor vehicle thefts and burglaries that began in Ocean City and ended with a chase and crash in Wicomico County pleaded guilty this month to first-degree burglary and other serious charges and now await their fate pending sentencing.

In June, a vigilant citizen observed a group of suspicious individuals peering in houses in the area of Teal Drive and reported the activity to police. Around 1:30 p.m. on June 15, the private citizen told an OCPD Public Safety Aide working an Ocean City Air Show traffic detail he had seen three suspicious individuals peering into area homes. Upon arrival, OCPD officers located a vehicle in which the resident believed the suspects were traveling and an investigation revealed it had been reported stolen in Montgomery County.

OCPD officers quickly located three of suspicious individuals who were seen exiting the vehicle and each was arrested for theft of a motor vehicle. Those suspects were identified as Christopher Bussey, 25; Dominique Burton, 19; and Shinecia Mercer, 19, all of Washington, D.C. An investigator with the Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office also assisted and located and arrested a fourth suspect in the area of 20th Street and Philadelphia Ave., identified as Heather Haire, 25, of Washington D.C., who was linked to the theft of the motor vehicle.

While officers were still on the scene at Teal Drive, two residents reported burglaries of their homes during which electronics, jewelry and other items totaling roughly $60,000 had been stolen. Many of the items were recovered in the stolen vehicle, in the suspects’ possession or had been discarded by the suspects. During that investigation, OCPD officers developed a fifth suspect and had still not recovered some of the property stolen during the burglaries.

Around 6:40 p.m., OCPD officers responded to the area of 32nd Street and Baltimore Ave. for a report of a stolen vehicle. Believing the stolen vehicle at 32nd Street could be related to the earlier recovery of stolen vehicle and the burglaries on Teal Drive, OCPD officers broadcasted lookouts for the fifth suspect and the stolen vehicle to surrounding jurisdictions.

Around 9 p.m., OCPD detectives learned the Maryland State Police and Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office were involved in a vehicle pursuit near Hebron just west of Salisbury involving the vehicle reported stolen from the 32nd Street area and the pursuit ended with a single-vehicle crash.

According to a Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office release from that jurisdiction’s end of the case, around 8:52 p.m. on June 15, a deputy attempted to stop the vehicle that had run a red light and reached speeds of 120 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone. Instead of stopping, however, the driver, identified as Joshua Robinson-Gripper, 22, of Washington, D.C., failed to stop and continued to run through red traffic signals and even went westbound on the eastbound lanes for a brief period.

Traffic stopped at Naylor Mill Rd. forced Robinson-Gripper off the road and the vehicle crashed into a guardrail. Believing the pursuit had ended, the deputy exited his vehicle and approached what he believed was a disabled vehicle. However, Robinson-Gripper again drove away, dragging the vehicle’s rear and front bumpers to drag on the roadway, causing a cascade of sparks. Again, Robinson-Gripper drove west on the eastbound lanes of Route 50 before crashing into a dirt embankment near Hebron that permanently disabled the vehicle.

Inside the crashed vehicle stolen from the 32nd Street area, OCPD detectives recovered electronics and jewelry stolen during the burglaries on Teal Drive. All five suspects were charged with multiple theft and burglary charges.

Last week, Bussey and Mercer each pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree burglary and theft from $10,000 to under $100,000. They are scheduled to be sentenced on January 8. Burton pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit first-degree burglary and theft from $10,000 to under $100,000 and a pre-sentence investigation was ordered.

New Speed Camera Coming

SALISBURY — The Salisbury Police Department announced new photo speed enforcement signage will be installed on Riverside Drive from Mill Street to College Ave., although there will be a brief grace period before citations are issued.

The speed camera will be installed in the area of Riverside Drive and South Blvd., which is located between Pinehurst Elementary and St. Frances De Sales Catholic School. The speed monitoring system will be used to monitor northbound traffic and no citations will be issued until Dec. 1.

The city of Salisbury’s Automated Speed Enforcement Program is a safety program focused on changing driver behavior through a comprehensive effort involving engineering, education and enforcement. The Automated Speed Enforcement Program uses speed cameras to enhance the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

Pines Garage Fire

OCEAN PINES — A fire at an attached garage at a residence in Ocean Pines last Friday has been ruled accidental and likely the result of unattended cooking.

Around 6:20 p.m. last Friday, firefighters from Ocean Pines, Showell and Bishopville responded to a reported attached garage fire on Teal Circle in Ocean Pines. While en route, firefighters were advised the blaze had been put out by an Ocean Pines firefighter with a fire extinguisher. The fire service continued and observed smoke extending from an attached two-car garage.

The fire was contained to the garage with minor smoke damage to the interior of the dwelling. The two occupants were at the dwelling at the time and both were able to escape although a male resident suffered minor burns to his right hand while attempting to extinguish the fire. The fire is listed as accidental and caused by unattended cooking.