Maryland Injury Attorney Blog
Vehicle Trailer Was Not Properly Secured, But Authorities Say No Current Maryland Laws Exist To Charge Responsible Driver
The Baltimore Sun reports that the driver of a Lincoln Navigator, who failed to properly secure his trailer will not be criminally charged, despite a clear finding of responsibility for the deadly multi-car collision on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge this May. According to a lengthy police investigation, the driver of the Navigator, Stephen A. Burt of Rockville, Maryland was responsible for the deadly collision, however, prosecutors have decided that they have no grounds for charging him with any traffic offenses. Investigators determined that Burt had failed to use a safety hitch pin to secure the single-axle trailer to his vehicle. Without the pin to hold the trailer latch securely, the trailer came loose as it bounced on the westbound span of the bridge, according to the report.
Investigators concluded also that the chains used to pull the trailer were too long, allowing the front of the trailer to hit the ground, after it came unsecured.
Notwithstanding these findings, the Anne Arundel County state’s attorney’s office concluded that “no current regulations exist” that would justify charges in the case.
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