High Driver Gets 20 Years After Death Of Cyclist: Officials

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A judge sentenced a high driver to 20 years in prison followed by five years of supervised probation for fatally striking a cyclist in Annapolis, officials announced Thursday. Authorities identified the deceased victim as Arthur Carter Jr.

An incident report listed the sentenced man as Carl Behler, 67. The write-up indicated on Aug. 6 the Annapolis man pleaded guilty to:

• Vehicular manslaughter
• Causing life-threatening injuries while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance
• Driving while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance

"The defendant’s decision to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs was in complete disregard for the lives and safety of others," Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess said. "He robbed the parents of Arthur Carter, Jr. the opportunity to create more memories with their only son."

Prosecutors alleged Behler was on a two-day cocaine binge when he took Xanax to bring him down from the high. He then drove to a grocery store and started falling asleep on the way home on March 8, 2020, the press release accused.

Behler was heading east in a 2015 GMC Yukon when he passed out and crossed the centerline of East College Parkway, officials stated. Authorities informed that he then struck Carter and another cyclist who were riding single-file in the correct direction on the opposite shoulder line.

Medics flew the other bicyclist to the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore for treatment of his life-threatening injuries, the report noted. The five other cyclists riding with the directly-struck duo sustained minor wounds, the prosecution added.

The release mentioned Behler told officers he had:

• Not slept in 24 hours
• Worked all night
• Taken Tylenol PM
• Woke up after hitting something

Officials explained the Maryland State Police secured a mandatory blood test from Behler. Authorities shared they found Behler had cocaine, alprazolam and benzoylecgonine (a cocaine metabolite) in his system.

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