Two Drunk-Driving Tragedies Spur Changes in Maryland Law

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Two fatal drunk-driving crashes in Montgomery County spurred tougher penalties for alcohol-related crimes in the Maryland Legislature.

The death of Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta galvanized Montgomery County leaders, Leotta’s parents, MADD and others to push for Senate Bill 945/House Bill 1342 – Drunk Driving Reduction Act of 2016 (Noah’s Law). The law – which was approved by both chambers late Monday night -- mandates the use of ignition interlock systems for all convicted DUI offenders, including first-time offenders.

And the June deaths of two Thomas Wootton High School graduates after an underage drinking party sparked legislation known as Alex and Calvin’s Law, which imposes prison time for anyone who provides alcohol to underage drinkers.

Sam Ellis, a former star quarterback at the school, pleaded guilty last week to two counts of vehicular homicide. He was driving the car when four teens left an underage drinking party on June 25, 2015, struck a tree and flipped over, killing Alexander Murk, 18, of Potomac and Calvin Jia-Xing Li, 18, of Rockville.

The Potomac man who hosted the alleged underage drinking party pleaded guilty to furnishing alcohol to a minor. Kenneth Jay Saltzman, 49, pleaded guilty in December to furnishing alcohol to a minor. According to online court records, he was fined $2,500 for each criminal count, the maximum punishment under the law.

»SEE ALSO:

• Slain Officer's Parents Lobby for 'Noah's Law'
• Montgomery Officer Struck By Car Dies Thursday
• Sam Ellis, Teen Driver in Crash That Killed 2 Wootton Graduates, Pleads Guilty
• Potomac Party Host Pleads Guilty in Teen Drinking Case

Noah’s Law Reaction

Suspect Luis Gustavo Reluzco, 47, of Olney, was arrested in December on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs after his car reportedly hit Leotta, who was working at a holiday drunk driving task force. Reluzco was arrested twice before for drunk driving and had a previous conviction for drug possession.

After passage of the law, Leotta’s father, Rich, told WUSA, "Every time the interlock goes on a car, Noah will be on patrol."

AAA Mid-Atlantic applauded Noah’s Law in a news release, noting the legislation requires the state to suspend indefinitely the license of any convicted drunk driver who fails to participate in the ignition interlock system. Drivers convicted for the first time would be required to participate in the program for at least six months. Those convicted a second and third time would be required to participate in the program for one and three years, respectively.

Underage Drinking Law

House Bill 409 - Providing Alcohol to Underage Drinkers - Penalties (Alex and Calvin's Law) will increase the penalties for giving alcoholic drinks to anyone younger than 21, or allowing underage drinkers to consume alcoholic beverages. This bill is named Alex and Calvin’s Law after the two deceased 18-year-olds.

The law was weakened during the session, although it still calls for jail time for adults who serve alcohol to underage drinkers. But it adds conditions that supporters told WTOP water it down — in order to get the jail sentence, the party hosts would have to have known that the underage drinker was likely to drive, and any resulting crash would have to end with serious injury or death.

The amended bill also leaves the imposition of a jail sentence up to the judge. Originally, the penalty would have been mandated.

»Photo of Noah Leotta's parents with Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger at the statehouse, courtesy of Montgomery County Police