Edgewood Hit And Run Leads To Homicide Charge

BEL AIR, MD — An Abingdon man has been indicted in the hit-and-run crash on Route 24 that resulted in the death of a Bel Air man the day after Thanksgiving 2017. Police allege the driver was under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash.

Joseph Taylor Bryant, 19, has been indicted on charges of homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs, negligent manslaughter by vehicle, reckless endangerment and other traffic offenses, according to Maryland State Police.

The charges stem from the death of a Bel Air man who was hit by a vehicle and left on the side of Route 24 on Friday, Nov. 24, 2017.

A passing driver had called 911 to report the incident, and police said officers found a man lying on the shoulder of Route 24 with obvious injuries on northbound Route 24 south of Route 7 at 8:45 p.m.

Cristobal Martinez, 31, of Bel Air, was taken with critical injuries to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, where officials reported he was later pronounced deceased.

Within 24 hours of the crash, police said that the driver and 2014 Kia Forte had been located but further investigation was required before charges could be filed and the suspect's identity would be released.

Police said Bryant was arrested at his home in Abingdon at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, upon being indicted by a grand jury.

According to police, Bryant faces up to $30,000 in fines and more than 40 years imprisonment.

The death of Martinez came less than four months after the murder of a teen that WJZ reports he raised as a member of his family. Maleigha Solonka, 15, was found strangled in August 2017 in Havre de Grace, and the investigation into the girl's murder remains open.

• Deadly Edgewood Hit-And Run: Suspect Vehicle Found, Police Say
• Pedestrian Hit On Route 24 In Critical Condition: Officials

Photo of Joseph Taylor Bryant courtesy of Maryland State Police.