Stoned Driver in Fatal Accident Faces Trial: Police

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — A motorist who struck a pedestrian in September in a fatal accident will go to trial on criminal charges stemming from being high on drugs while driving, according to the Howard County police.

A grand jury on Monday indicted Brittany R. McElhiney, 28, on charges of vehicular manslaughter and driving while impaired by drugs in the death of Robert Dukehart, 78, of Ellicott City, the Police Department announced. Dukehart later died as a result of his injuries, the police said.

The accident also led to the discovery of a drug manufacturing and distribution operation in McIlhaney's home, the police said. They searched the home on Hobsons Choice Lane that McIlhiney shares with her boyfriend, Richard Debois, 64, and confiscated marijuana, heroin, PCP and other drugs with a street value totaling more than $20,000.

As a result, McIlhiney and Debois were indicted earlier this month on a series of drug charges. Both remain free on bond, the police said.

The fatal accident occurred on the morning of Sept. 24 on Green Clover Road in Ellicott City. According to witnesses, McElhiney was driving on the wrong side of the road and collided with another car, the police said.

Her vehicle kept rolling and struck Dukehart, who was walking on the side of the road. No one else was injured, the police said.

Dukehart was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries on Oct. 20.

The police determined that McElhiney was under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident. Drugs also were found in her car, they said.

The investigation into McElhiney’s drug use ultimately led to a search of her home on Oct. 6, where they found heroin, more than 9 pounds of marijuana, 3.5 ounces of LSD and three vials of PCP. The police also found concentrated THC and 48 pieces of THC packaged as candy, scales, packaging materials and nearly $500 in cash, the police said.

Both McElhiney and Debois were arrested and later indicted on drug-related charges, including manufacturing and distribution. McElhiney was released on $50,000 bond and Debois was released on $85,000 bond.

Image: Howard County police confiscated heroin, more than 9 pounds of marijuana, 3.5 ounces of LSD and other drugs from the home of Brittany McElhiney and Richard Debois (Howard County Police Department).