Driver On Heroin Sentenced In Crash That Killed Arnold Woman

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A man who used heroin before he drove 70 mph before he cause a fatal crash has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for one count of negligent manslaughter in the death of an Arnold woman and two counts of second-degree assault for two surviving victims. Christopher Michael Dillehunt, 29, of Queenstown was speeding on March 11, 2018, when his Ford Taurus crossed the center line on Buschs Frontage Road and collided with a Toyota Camry driven by Laurel Zeiler, 81, of Arnold.

Zeiler died at University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where she later died from her injuries. Her daughter, Cynthia Lynn Whittington, was also treated at Shock Trauma, and survived the crash.

After crashing into Zeiler's car, Dillehunt's car spun and slid sideways into a Ford F-150 pickup truck, authorities said. The pickup truck was driven by Kathi Ridgley of Lothian, who suffered life-altering injuries, prosecutors said.

"This is another tragic case showing the deadly consequences made by an individual who chose to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess in a news release. "A mother and daughter were making a routine trip to the convenience store when the defendant's criminal actions caused the death of Laurel Zeiler. I hope that today's sentence brings some sense of peace to the families and deters other drivers who think about driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol."

Anne Arundel County Police said Dillehunt and a passenger, Tammy Lawson, were eastbound on U.S. Route 50 when he exited onto Buschs Frontage Road. Dillehunt was driving over 70 mph in a 40 mph zone when his car crossed over the double yellow center line to pass a slower vehicle, and he struck Zeiler's car.

Investigators learned that before the crash Dillehunt and Lawson had been using heroin. Shortly after the collision, medical responders at the scene gave Dillehunt two doses of Naloxone, a medication used to counter the effects of opioid overdoes, because he was unconscious and not breathing.

He was then arrested and charged after the investigation was concluded.

Dillehunt pleaded guilty to the charges on Aug. 29.