Edgewater Drunk Driver Sentenced For Passenger's Death

EDGEWATER, MD — An Edgewater woman who was found to be over twice the legal blood alcohol limit when she crashed her car into a tree in 2016, killing her passenger, was sentenced Tuesday for drunk driving. Authorities say Michelle Lee Brookman, 44, of Edgewater, was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Michael Wachs to 3 years and 6 months in prison for negligent homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

Brookman was originally indicted for 19 charges — including manslaughter, negligent homicide under the influence, and other crimes tied to driving while impaired by alcohol — in the 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 caused by speeding and an intoxicated driver.

"Ms. Brookman killed her passenger when she chose to drive while under the influence of alcohol," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Wes Adams in a statement. "As we approach the holidays, let us keep this tragedy in our hearts and minds. Do not let this season of celebration become marred by the disastrous consequences of drunk driving. No ride is worth the risk."

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 Brookman 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.

Her blood alcohol content was found to be 0.193 percent, meaning she was more than twice the legal limit at the time the collision occurred.

Prosecutors say Brookman pleaded guilty on Aug. 2 to negligent homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Maryland sentencing guidelines recommended a sentence between probation and up to 2 years of active incarceration. Brookman was sentenced to 5 years suspend all but 3 years and 6 months of active incarceration, 5 years of supervised probation upon release, and 40 hours of community service.

Image via Shutterstock