90 MPH Baltimore Driver Convicted In Head-On Crash Death

GLEN BURNIE, MD – A speeding Baltimore driver was convicted Wednesday of grossly negligent manslaughter and related charges by an Anne Arundel County Circuit Court judge. Johnathan Derek Simms, 32, of Baltimore, fled a traffic stop and caused a crash that killed a Linthicum woman, according to court documents.

Louisa Emilia Donner, 66, of the unit block of Patapsco Drive in Linthicum, died April 4, 2016, when her Kia Spectra was hit head-on by a speeding vehicle driven by Simms, prosecutors say. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Maryland State Police investigators say Simms was driving 73 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone when he slammed into Donner's car.

"Mr. Simms displayed a selfish disregard for the safety of others on the day of this collision, and continues to refuse to accept responsibility for the tragic loss of life caused by his own cowardly actions," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Wes Adams in a statement. "I'm grateful to Judge Silkworth for seeing past this man's excuses, and providing justice to the victim's family."

A Maryland State Police trooper saw Simms speeding in a 2015 Toyota Camry on Route 100 in Glen Burnie. The officer turned on her emergency lights and tried to stop Simms, but police say he failed to yield to the marked patrol vehicle.

Simms accelerated to speeds of more than 90 mph, taking the ramp onto northbound 170 and continuing eastbound onto Dorsey Road, where the trooper ended the pursuit. Simms then turned left, traveling toward oncoming traffic in the southbound lanes of Aviation Boulevard, where he crashed head-on into Donner's car, officials said.

Simms was found guilty of grossly negligent manslaughter, criminally negligent manslaughter, fleeing and eluding resulting in death, fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, and negligent driving. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2018. The manslaughter charges are felonies that carry a combined 13 years in prison and $10,000 fine.

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