A teenager riding his bike on Maryland Route 108 in Elkridge was struck and killed by a passing motorist. Fatal accidents involving bicycles and other two-wheelers happen frequently in the warmer months. Any time a young person loses his or her life it is a tragic event, not only for the family and friends of the victim, but for the community as well. Being a Maryland personal injury lawyer with experience in representing victims of car-bicycle accidents I’ve seen the terrible results of such events.
The recent accident that took the life of a 16-year-old boy happened near Lark Brown Road in Elkridge, MD. Young Benjamin Wortman was cycling eastbound on Route 108 just after midnight on Friday, August 28. Wortman was hit from behind by an eastbound Nissan Altima driving by Aaron Jacob Lorsong of West Friendship, MD. According to news reports, the boy was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. Wortman died from his injuries the following day.
Officers arriving at the scene of the collision noticed a strong odor of alcohol on the 26-year-old driver’s breath as well as slurred speech and a flushed face. As a result, Lorsong was given several field sobriety tests, which he performing poorly. According to police reports, upon searching his person, officers discovered two small plastic zip-lock bags containing heroin.
Lorsong, who was uninjured in the crash, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, causing a life-threatening injury while driving under the influence of alcohol, and possession of heroin. The man was released Friday from the Howard County Detention Center after posting $100,000 bond, but that was before the Elkridge youth died at the hospital.
In Maryland, vehicular manslaughter charges are equivalent to murder charges, which may be treated as a felony. Such a crime is punishable by a maximum of 15 years in prison, as well as an additional 2 to 3 years if the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. The driver who allegedly killed the teenager may end up facing years in jail for his mistakes.
Furthermore, it is not uncommon for victims’ families to pursue civil suits to recover for damages resulting from the loss of a loved one. Potential damages include those of psychological counseling and other expenses. An experienced personal injury attorney has the knowledge to assist victims or their families after tragic events such as this.
Elkridge cyclist, 16, dies after being hit by car, ExploreHoward.com, September 1, 2009