Man Who Drove Into Child's Birthday Party, Killing One, Faces 36 Charges: Prosecutor

BLADENSBURG, MD — A 66-year-old man has been indicted on 36 charges after police say he reversed his vehicle into the front yard of a home where a child's birthday party was behind held in a tent, killing one and injuring more than a dozen people, including eight children.

Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson announced that Okedeyi Joseph has been indicted on 36 charges that include one count of grossly negligent manslaughter by motor vehicle, three counts of hit-and-run involving serious bodily injury, 11 counts of failure to return and remain at the scene of accident involving bodily injury, and 11 counts of reckless driving.

On Oct. 18, 2025, Joseph backed up his vehicle into the yard where the birthday party was being held. He fled from the scene. Witnesses reported hearing a car "reverse at full speed" into the tent. CCTV footage showed the suspect vehicle reversing down Annapolis Road without lights before the crash.

The crash killed Ashley Hernandez Gutierrez, 31, and sent eight children and six adults to the hospital. Joseph turned himself in to the Bladensburg police a day later and denied police claims that he was driving under the influence. He remained in police custody without bond.

“A celebration meant for joy and family turned into a scene of devastation, leaving one woman dead and many others injured, including children,” Jackson said.

A grossly negligent manslaughter by motor vehicle charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years incarcerated; hit-and-run involving serious bodily injury carries a maximum of 5 years of incarceration and a $5,000 fine; failure to return and remain at the scene of accident involving bodily injury carries a maximum penalty of 1 year of incarceration; and a reckless driving charge carries a maximum of 60 days of incarceration, according to the county state's attorney's office.

Joseph is expected in court for a hearing on Feb. 13.