Glen Burnie Woman Receives Maximum Sentence For Drunk Driving

GLEN BURNIE, MD — A 34-year-old mother from Glen Burnie has been sentenced to 14 years in prison on one count of negligent manslaughter for the death of 16-year-old Tyrese Glenn and for driving while intoxicated and endangering the lives of two other teenagers, including her own child who was in the vehicle.

Judge Mark Crooks said this was "one of the most reprehensible cases." Tashya Johnson received the maximum sentence. Johnson entered a guilty plea to the charges Feb. 11.

"The defendant is solely responsible for the death of Mr. Glenn," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess in a statement. "The defendant made the deliberate and selfish decision to drive while intoxicated showing a complete disregard for the lives of the minors that were in her vehicle as well as other motorists on the road. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the Glenn family as they heal from this tragic event."

On June 21, 2018, Maryland State Police responded to a single vehicle collision on I-97 just before the Generals Highway exit. Troopers located a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis turned over on its roof in a heavily wooded area. Motorists described witnessing the vehicle being operated in an erratic fashion, speeding and making improper lane changes. According to police reports, Johnson lost control of the vehicle, drove off the roadway and flipped multiple times before landing on the roof.

While doing an inventory of the vehicle, police located an open container of an alcoholic beverage, Mad Dog 20/20, in the defendant's leather handbag. A police officer spoke with Johnson in the hospital and observed that her eyes were bloodshot and glassy. She admitted to police that she had a couple of alcoholic beverages prior to driving. Blood test results later revealed that Johnson had a blood alcohol content of 0.24, three times over the legal limit.

At sentencing, the court was presented with a recording of Johnson stating that the brother of Tyrese Glenn needed to "grow up and get over it because it was nobody's fault that the accident occurred."