Family Of Now Disabled HoCo Teen Hit By Drunk Driver Upset With Man's Sentencing

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A White Marsh man has pleaded guilty to two charges related to an Aug. 2, 2022, incident where his truck hit a 16-year-old boy riding a bicycle, then he attempted to cover up the accident that left the teen permanently disabled.

The boy's family has spoken out about the man's sentencing, which they say is too light.

David Darling, 59, was driving his truck along Gorman Road in Laurel when he veered out of his lane and crashed into Alex Morales. The victim suffered "major bodily injury," according to the Howard County State's Attorney's Office. Darling's blood-alcohol level was well over the legal limit, prosecutors noted.

Howard County State's Attorney Rich Gibson said that Darling tried to cover his tracks.

"The defendant exited the vehicle and he basically tried to tell other people who came to the scene that the bike that was found was his, so he was trying to undermine the search for any victims that he may have harmed. It's truly terrible," Gibson said.

Darling has been sentenced to 10 years suspended, all but five years. When his sentence has been served and he's released from prison, Darling will be on three years of supervised probation, where he must participate in a Mother's Against Drunk Driving impact panel, submit to random urinalysis screenings and participate in drug and alcohol treatment programs.

Anthony Morales told WBAL his brother's life has been turned upside down because of Darling's actions.

"He was on track to finish with his diploma, his associate's (degree) from Howard Community College. He wanted to be an airman and all that stuff is taken away from him," Morales said.

Alex Morales is home but left with a traumatic brain injury after the crash.

"According to his physicians, he's going to need one-on-one supervision for the rest of his life and his disabilities are permanent up to this point," Anthony Morales said.

Alex Morales' sister, Michelle, told WBAL the family is disappointed in Darling's sentencing.

"It's definitely upsetting, and it's kind of confusing a little bit, too. I just don't understand how someone can essentially get away with this. That's not enough time, I feel like," she said.

Anyone who would like to help the family support Alex during his ongoing recovery can do so here.