Manslaughter Charges Filed Against Head-On Crash Suspect

GLEN BURNIE, MD – Prosecutors plan to file 10 criminal charges, including manslaughter, against a Baltimore man who allegedly fled a traffic stop and caused a crash that killed a Linthicum woman, according to court documents.

Louisa Emilia Donner, 66, of the unit block of Patapsco Drive in Linthicum, died Friday when her Kia Spectra was hit head-on by a speeding vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene, say Maryland State Police.

The driver accused of hitting Donner's vehicle is Johnathan Derek Simms, 31, of 1706 Ruxton Ave. in Baltimore. He remains in police custody at the Baltimore Washington Medical Center while receiving medical treatment.

Investigators say Simms was driving 73 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone.

An arrest warrant for Simms was issued after the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney moved to file charges.

Simms is charged with:

• Negligent manslaughter by auto
• Criminal negligent manslaughter by vehicle
• Attempt to elude police by failing to stop
• Driver in violation of code resulting in death of another
• Driving vehicle on highway exceeding speed limit
• Failure to drive on the right side of the road
• Reckless and negligent driving, and other traffic infractions

The manslaughter charges are felonies that carry a combined 13 years in prison and $10,000 fine if Simms is convicted.

Authorities say Trooper First Class Jacqueline Kline of the Glen Burnie Barrack saw Simms speeding in a 2015 Toyota Camry on Route 100 in Glen Burnie. Kline turned on her emergency lights and tried to stop Simms, but police say he failed to yield to the marked patrol vehicle.

Simms accelerated to high rates of speed, taking the ramp onto northbound 170 and continuing eastbound onto Dorsey Road, where Kline ended the pursuit. Simms then turned left, traveling toward oncoming traffic in the southbound lanes of Aviation Boulevard, where he crashed head-on into Donner's car, officials said.

Anyone who saw the crash or events leading up to the accident is asked to contact state police investigators at the Glen Burnie Barrack at 410-761-5130.

Simms is being held on $1million bond.