Drunk Driver From Columbia Charged With Homicide In HoCo Woman's Death: Howard Co. Police

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A 68-year-old Columbia woman was killed Monday night when a 20-year-old Columbia man driving a pickup crossed the double yellow line and hit her in her 2013 Hyundai Elantra.

At around 7:24 p.m. Monday, Rikelmy E. Beltran-Menjivar was heading southbound on Tamar Drive near Flicker Place when he lost control of his vehicle, crossed into oncoming traffic and hit Karen Johnson Battle's vehicle and a 1994 Honda Accord, the Howard County Police Department reported.

Battle was taken to the Howard County General Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The driver of the Honda were taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center with non-life-threatening injuries and since have been released, according to the Howard County Police Department.

Beltran-Menjivar was uninjured and arrested on the scene for driving under the influence. According to the Howard County Police Department, he's been charged with negligent auto homicide while under the influence, homicide by motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, criminal negligence manslaughter by vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Tamar Drive was closed for approximately three hours between Flicker Place and Phelps Luck Drive. The investigation is ongoing.