Driver in Fatal Davidsonville Crash Indicted On 19 Criminal Charges

EDGEWATER, MD — An Edgewater driver was recently indicted for 19 charges — including manslaughter, negligent homicide under the influence, and other crimes tied to driving while impaired by alcohol — in a June 17, 2016, car crash that killed a man and injured two passengers. Front-seat passenger John David Fisher, 44, of Edgewater, who was wearing a seatbelt, was declared dead at the scene; police said the crash was likely caused by speeding and an intoxicated driver.

Anne Arundel County Police say the fatal accident happened on Beards Point Road near Beards Creek Drive in Davidsonville. Investigators say a 2007 Ford Mustang driven by Michelle Lee Brookman, 44, of Edgewater, was southbound on Beards Point Road at a high speed when the car missed a curve in the road. Brookman’s Mustang began to skid, left the road, and struck a tree sideways in the passenger-side door.

Brookman was indicted on March 24 on the host of charges, according to Maryland online court records.

Two rear-seat passengers were critically injured and treated at Shock Trauma in Baltimore. Police say Edward W. Dicey, 20, of Riva, was not wearing a seatbelt. He was thrown from the vehicle and landed in the woods. Another rear-seat passenger — Christine A. Baerga, 30, of Odenton — was taken to Shock Trauma with critical injuries.

Brookman suffered minor injuries in the crash.

Police said the preliminary cause of the crash was excessive speed and reckless driving. A contributing factor may have been drug and/or alcohol use.

Brookman is scheduled to have an initial court hearing April 10; her trial is set to begin Aug. 10, according to court records.