SAME INDIVIDUAL INVOLVED IN TWO HARFORD COUNTY CRASHES
(Bel Air, MD) – Maryland State Police have confirmed the individual involved in the Harford County fatal crash on Friday, November 7, 2008 had been involved in another crash less than two hours before.
Earlier on Friday afternoon, the Maryland State Police charged Christopher Lentz, 37, of the 5600-block of Bell Gwynn Road in Glen Arm, Maryland with the following: failure to drive right of center, failure to immediately stop vehicle at scene of accident, failure of driver involved in accident to give insurance policy information, and failure to control speed to avoid collision. The charges resulted from a crash that troopers from the Bel Air Barrack responded to at approximately 3:30 p.m.
The preliminary investigation reveals that Lentz was operating a 1999 Chevrolet Express van traveling northbound on Route 152, north of Greenspring Avenue in Joppa, Maryland. Lentz reportedly crossed over the center line and sideswiped a 2003 Ford van traveling southbound.
The operator of the Ford van, Karen Williams, 44, of the 1200-block of Old Mountain Road North in Joppa was transporting seven children between the ages of 3 and 16. Williams was not injured. The seven passengers were transported by ambulance to Upper Chesapeake Hospital for precautionary reasons.
While investigating the crash, state troopers located Lentz in his company vehicle about one-half mile north of the scene. The vehicle had been disabled as a result of the collision.
At approximately 5:00 p.m. that same evening, troopers from the Bel Air Barrack responded to a multi-vehicle crash on the Route 1 bypass north of Route 24 in Harford County. Lentz was the driver of the 2004 Jeep Cherokee involved in the crash.
Charges are pending on the second crash. Troopers from the Bel Air Barrack and the Maryland State Police CRASH team are consulting with the Harford County’s State Attorney regarding both incidents as the investigation continues.
Absolutely amazing. What are the maximum’s for vehicular manslaughter?
In a harford county court. a smack on the Hand.
OK…SOMTHING IS VERY WRONG HERE. I missed the connection in these two stories. Someone missed somthing. If a commercial driver is involved in an accident it will result in a piss test. This driver was already cited for failing to control speed. That’s cause enough for sobriety and substance testing in every book I know. Than, hour and a half later…..he kills !
That’s definitely a course of conduct and gross disregard for human life. Make a mistake and calm down…pay the price, thats one thing…but there was no calming down.
Vehicular homicide, criminally negligent homicide, are some terms that come to mind.
Lets see the tox report on this guy. I hope the connection was made at the scene. This guy seems to be a nutter and in need of long term residance.
Go Dagger !
Harford County Sheriff Jesse Bane was also quoted on one of the TV news channels saying he is going to push for a traffic study on the safety of the Bel Air Bypass after several fatal crashes on the roadway in the last few years.
I know I’ve always felt like traffic was moving too fast, too close together on the Bypass. It feels like a mini-I-95.
Brian…
I think you may be on to somthing! Its a major transition from semi urban to what appears to be rural open highway in an instant. The problem is that drivers minds are still stuck on mall driving.
That’s a very good observation….anyone else get that feeling on that small stretch of road?
OK Jessee…no need to waste a few hundred grand…the study is done…now on to action. How about some enforcement. Some speed signs…warning signs “high accident area”, “inattentive driving deaths on this road this year” signs.
Go Dagger !
I have one question here. What did the Harford County police miss when they stopped him the first time? I personally have witnessed a rather lackadaisical attitude on being strict with drivers who have had fender benders in this county.
Let’s put pressure on the police to take the time to thoroughly check out accident scenes. Perhaps medication reaction, drugs, alcohol. cognitive impairments or mental illness led to this accident. I would encourage the HC police to peruse accident scenes more thoroughly. I also agree that everyone is speeding all over the place. Slow down!
It was Maryland State Police, and not the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, that stopped the driver after his first crash of the day in Joppa.
I’d imagine, just like any other car accident, that unless he was physically impaired, he was free to leave the scene on his own. Scary that the first vehicle he hit in Joppa was also a van that carried 7 children.
It sounds like he ditched his company vehicle after he crashed it and somehow got his hands on a Jeep about 90 minutes later. Driving recklessly, speeding and purportedly trying to pass other vehicles using the shoulder of the Bel Air Bypass.
He seemed hellbent on something – even if it cost him his life. Too bad he still has his while an innocent mother and child lost theirs.
Brian…
Whats the ability to sherrifs and state and local police to cross referance? Dont all reports go in a common data base? If not shouldnt there be one? Even if its just an alert on a name and agencey to inquire of….even if this criss cross expires after a while after permanant NCIC (if NCIC is correct) entry? Just food for thought.
Go Dagger !
I’m not sure how much we can blame the police here, honestly.
How many of us have ever been in a car accident where there were no injuries? Sure, reports say that the guy, Lentz, crossed the center line in Joppa and side-swiped the van, but if he wasn’t under the influence of anything and wasn’t wanted on any outstanding warrants, what could the police do?
It would have been impossible for them to know the guy was crazy enough to get his hands on a Jeep, head up the road a few miles and cross the center line a second time – this time with horrifying results.
Even if they suspected him of aggressive driving or road rage, I don’t think that’s enough cause to haul the guy in and lock him up.
Now, if it turns out a blood test comes back from the first accident and Joppa and the guy was high as a kite, but cut loose by police…that’s an entirely different story.
Brain I agree….Im sure If there was suspicion they would have no problem hauling him in.
Brain…
If at the first accident he acted calm and collected what could they do. BUT…. Are you saying he gave blood at the first scene? Are their any detailes?
GD!
Is loosing control, driving in the wrong lane, and evading, (the first accident)…probable cause? I believe that when he didn’t stop for the first one he gave probable cause. We are now getting into policy…when cops are directed by superiors to do a intox test. IF he was intoxicated he could have been stopped there….but nagging at me is the fact that cops have no real problem with arresting for DWI…..so i guess we need more details before we criticize the police.
Go Dagger !
Traffic Study!? Are you kidding me! Here we go again, study the study to study the study. This is absurd. All the traffic accidents on this stretch of road, some fatalities, and we are going to study it? Christ, PUT A FREAKING BARRIER, MEDIAN, and LOWER THE DAMN SPEED LIMIT!
Melissa & Richie,
Give an evaluation to everyone involved in a fender bender? Cross reference reports? There is no field test for crazy and the report from the first accident probably had not even been written yet.
Bad things just happen sometimes. The police can’t protect you from everything.
That’s actually very true – the 90 minutes it took Lentz to crash in Joppa, drive to Bel Air and crash on the Bypass probably wasn’t even enough time for the MSP trooper to get back and file the report, much less digest the details.
As far as initiating another study, here’s the way I look at it. These studies should take all of about a week, at most. Pull up all the accidents on the stretch of road, look at location, speed at the time of crash, and other factors. That sort of report can be put together in a day, honestly. The study is needed as back up for when someone approaches the county council and asks for a million or so more dollars for the Bel Air Bypass Improvement Project. You have to do the study beforehand, so when a penny-pinching politician looking for re-election questions if the median and barrier are really needed, the HCSO can flip open a folder and say, “It’s all right here.”
For my two cents, I can’t understand why a median wasn’t implemented there in the first place. There looks to be plenty of right-of-way land on both sides of the Bypass.
It probably has something to do with the fact that all Harford County’s so-called “bypasses” are really just schemes to create more retail/commercial road frontage. Isn’t the idea of a bypass to “bypass congested areas?”
Look at how many of our bypasses now have gas stations on their corners or new traffic circles leading conveniently into commercial retail areas. Median strips and barriers means no access.
After getting over a brain fart…im gonna be critical.
This guy is appealing a sentance at this time. Its not his first conviction on similer charges.
Case Information
Court System: Circuit Court for Baltimore County – Criminal System
Case Number: 03K08003343
Title: State of Maryland vs Christopher H Lentz
Case Type: Criminal AppealFiling Date:08/12/2008
Case Status: Open/Active
Case Disposition: Disposition Date:
——————————————————————————–
Defendant Information
(Each Alias, Address, and Attorney for the Defendant is displayed) Name: Lentz, Christopher H
Race: Caucasian
Sex: MHeight:5’10″Weight:150DOB:08/20/1971
Address: 5621 Bell Gwynn Lane
City: Glen ArmState:MDZip Code:21057
Attorney(s) for the Defendant
Name: Basinger, Esq, C Stephen
Practice Name: Law Offices Of C Stephen Basinger
Address: 1740 East Joppa Road
City: BaltimoreState:MDZip Code:21234
——————————————————————————–
Court Scheduling Information
Event Type: Arraignment/Initial AppearanceNotice Date:08/22/2008
Event Date: 09/17/2008Event Time:09:15 AM
Result: Cancelled/VacatedResult Date:09/09/2008
——————————————————————————–
Event Type: Criminal Court TrialNotice Date:11/06/2008
Event Date: 12/04/2008Event Time:09:15 AM
Result: Result Date:
——————————————————————————–
Charge and Disposition Information
(Each Charge is listed separately. The disposition is listed below the Charge) Charge No: 1CJIS Code:4 3550Statute Code:CR.5.601.(a)(1)
Charge Description: Cds:Possess-Not Marihuana
Offense Date From: 05/02/2008To:
Arrest Tracking No: 02-0003-89636-0Citation:
Charge Amend No: 0Sentence Version:0Charge Class:
Disposition Plea: Plea Date:
Disposition: Disposition Date:
——————————————————————————–
Related Person Information
(Each Person related to the case other than the Defendant is shown) Name:Kerner, Charles
Party Type:Bond Remitter/Bondsman
Address:8711 Harford Road
City: BaltimoreState:MDZip Code:21234
——————————————————————————–
Name:State Of Maryland
Party Type:Plaintiff
Address:401 Bosley Avenue
City: TowsonState:MDZip Code:21204 – 4420
——————————————————————————–
Document Tracking
(Each Document listed. Documents are listed in Motion No./Sequence No. order) Doc No./Seq No.: 1/0
File Date: 08/12/2008Close Date:08/12/2008
Party Type: DefendantParty No.:1
Document Name: Bail Bond Set
——————————————————————————–
Doc No./Seq No.: 2/0
File Date: 08/12/2008Close Date:08/12/2008
Party Type: DefendantParty No.:1
Document Name: Bail Bond Posted
——————————————————————————–
Doc No./Seq No.: 3/0
File Date: 08/12/2008Close Date:08/12/2008
Document Name: District Court Disposition
Defendant sentenced to 90 days incarceration starting 7/14/08 and to run concurrent with any outstanding sentence. Work release recommended. Appeal Bond set at $5000.00.Fines and costs suspended due to indigency. $80.00 Security for costs paid. Case tried 7/21/08.
——————————————————————————–
Doc No./Seq No.: 4/0
File Date: 08/12/2008Close Date:
Document Name: Criminal Appeal from District Court
The above is his info on appeal for his conviction in district court. This guy is out on appeal bond while he waites for Dec for his appeal. !
Where was his bracelet? Dont the police know who baliees are? Didnt they see his Balt Co. conviction? Is he not in Ncic on his other convictions?
Heres a sampler of this Gem…
1992 Balt co…cds poss guilty
1993 Balt City …cds stet
1995 Balt Co …Cds…guilty
1997 ann arund co..dest prop… guilty
OK…..I beleive that the cops have a system in their vehicles to access criminal and dmv. What happened?
Go Dagger !
Pike…a fender bender is when you bump somone….when you sideswipe them and disable your car…thats a tad more. 3 more inches to the left.
Go Dagger !
Yes…that’s a relatively new road…..and its without barriers. That’s just not done anymore.
Go Dagger !
On 8 12 this guy had fees waived because he was indigent…whats the deal, according to the story, with the “company van”. Was that his jeep? 2004?
Maybe I should try being indigent. Seems like they do OK !
Somthing smells funny on this one !
Go Dagger !
Pike…I have no doubt this guy was nutso…Im just wondering why they didnt look harder…it seems like it was all there.
Go Dagger !
Richie,
The in-car computers have access to MVA and check for active warrants. Most don’t have access to crim history.
And even if the trooper from the first accident had access to Lentz’s criminal history, what would he or she have done differently? He was issued citations and released…just like the thousands of other people involved in accidents who don’t get in another accident and kill people a few hours later.
But hey, just keep trying to find fault with the police. You’ll get there eventually.
BTW, bailees don’t have bracelets. Where did you get that idea?
Make no mistake…I’m not trying to blame law enforcement. I certainly wasn’t there. I’m trying to support good work and what ever it takes to do good work by our officers…be it by new policies, encouragement, support , or support of new tracking systems.
We only learn and improve by being critical, (sharing ideas), and taking criticism(listening to ideas).
Go Dagger !
Pike…thanks for answering my question as to whats available. My comment about bailees having a bracelet was suggestive…depending on a persons prior history. As for the cars…I think instead of most not having access to criminal histories…all should.
You do make a point on what could have been done. Is there nothing that could have gotten him off the street in the first accident if they saw that this guy was chronic with the drugs…wouldn’t that have raised a flag? Would that have steered the (if any ) discretion of the officers at the first scene as to how that event was handled if there was a choice whether to arrest or cite? Of course this is all hypothetical…but there is the future.
Just my thoughts on the matter.
Go Dagger !
I can think of a million reasons to have GOOD INTEL at an officers instant disposal.
GD!
Hey, I agree that critical review is necessary for improvement in any field. Lets just have all of the facts and know how things work before we start the critique.
LEOs have more than enough policy and procedure to remember as it is. The problem is that in the aftermath, everyone wants knee jerk policy change that MIGHT have preveted the LAST tragedy. Kind of like how the army always trains to fight the last war…and about as productive.
On the other hand, if it turns out that amending procedures could prevent this from happening again, then lets do it….Just don’t forget about the Constitution
Like I said before, bad things just happen sometimes. The police can’t protect you from everything.
Pike…
As I was walking from my bathroom I wondered if I should post a comment on…and lets not forget the constitution while we are at it…glad to see I’m not the only one thinking.
Its sad that it takes things like this to evaluate things…in many cases.
Im sure there will be more accurate info in the near future.
GD !
What company did the van driven by Lentz belong to?
Go Dagger !
On Saturday, I sent an email to SHA officials in Harford County asking for a jersey wall. He said that a study will automatically be conducted due to the fact that this was a fatal accident. Yesterday, I spoke with Secretary John Porcari of the Dept. of transportation and urgently asked for funding for a jersey wall. I have also sent a letter to him as a follow-up. I will provide that letter to The Dagger separately. Finally, I was interviewed by WJZ last night and again, stated that we need a jersey wall. My comment to them was that we didn’t need a study to tell us that this road is unsafe when 4 people have been killed in the last two years.
Dagger Readers, feel free to contact Secretary John Porcari as well. His address is :
John D. Porcari, Secretary
Maryland Department of Transportation
7201 Corporate Center Drive
Hanover, MD 21076
I am not the only official asking for this wall. Delegates Norman and McComas, Senator Glassman, County Executive Craig and President Boniface are also sending letters to the Department of Transportation.
Thanks, Dagger, for bringing attention to this. Keep it up!
Thank you Delegate Stifler for bringing to there attention, a study is not needed to waste taxpayers money. when it’s obvious what needs to be done. we could bring to there attention’ a study will be done by the taxpayer on who thought it was necessary to do the study’ next election.
I agree but the fact that there were fatals automatically requires a study under transportation code.
What we really need is for the fedreal or state government to finish the Bel Air Bypass. Even though it would be convenient for me to take it coming home from work, I choose to drive through town since I don’t feel like dealing with the northbound drag race from the traffic light as the right lane ends. It’s bad enough that Business Route 1 is only a single lane northbound into Bel Air, but there is no excuse for the bypass to not be double lanes each way with a median for the full length. The land was purchased years decades ago, and I think accidents like this should push it up the priority list to be improved.
Has anyone driven through Columbia and seen all of the road improvements over the past twenty years? Can you even count the multilane roads? I’m not saying that I want Bel Air to become the next Columbia, but I think we deserve to at least have our bypass finished to take a little more traffic out of Bel Air and to provide a safer driving experience.
That sounds great but every delegate who wants money now for the by-pass voted against the last budget. I think Sen. Glassman is the only one who voted for the budget.
OK…we are moving in the right direction…if the Judges can’t keep em behind bars let the Highway Dept keep em behind concrete….that-ll work for me !
Its also great to see our elected officials are paying attention….good job.
Go Dagger !
Per the Harford Copunty State’s Attorney’s Office:
Christopher Herman Lentz was indicted for motor vehicle manslaughter stemming from the accidents on 7 November 2008. In the second accident Katherine Brady, 33 and her son Wilson, 8 were killed, Stephen Brady, 34 was seriously injured.
The indictment charges 2 counts of manslaughter, possession of cocaine, possession of paraphernalia, 2 counts of reckless driving, 2 counts of crossing the centerline, 2 counts of failing to drive in a designated lane, passing on the shoulder, speeding and speed to great for conditions.
Lentz cntinues to be held at the Harford County Detention Center.
My Mom was involved in a head on collision in ’95 on the Bel Air Bypass that put her in Shock Trauma for 2 months and rehabilitation for about another 3. We received a call from WJZ today that Maryland is FINALLY implementing a barrier on the two mile stretch of Bel Air Road where most accidents occur. While it doesn’t change the situation in 2008, it will be a relief to know that future accidents can be avoided. If only this had come sooner… we’ve been fighting it since 1996!