It’s natural for victims and their families to feel the need for closure following a severe or fatal traffic wreck. However, not every lawsuit or criminal case provides the needed emotional release for some people. Especially in cases of wrongful death as a result of a fatal car, truck or motorcycle crash, having the negligent party pay for his or her mistake through monetary penalties or through incarceration can take some of the sting away, but for those who have lost a loved one as a result of negligent or thoughtless actions, even this may not be enough to quell the pain and anger.
As experienced personal injury attorneys serving the people of Maryland as well as those hurt in car or trucking-related accidents over in the District, we understand the difficult and trying times between a tragic car or commercial truck crash and the culmination of a lawsuit in a Maryland courtroom. The wheels of our legal system turn ever so slow at times, and this can lead to additional aggravation and upset; all the more reason to choose a qualified attorney to guide one through the process.
We were reminded of this after reading an older news report stating that the individual accused of causing the death of well-known jazz musician, Joe Byrd, was indicated nearly six months after the fatal collision that took Byrd’s life. According to earlier news reports, the automobile crash that killed the jazz man was allegedly caused by a Lothian, MD, resident with a reportedly long history of traffic-related offenses.
Back in March, at the time of the accident, officers from the Anne Arundel County police department had responded to the scene of a fatal collision at the intersection of Solomons Island Rd. and Lee Airpark Dr. Mr. Byrd had reportedly been making a left-hand turn in his Volvo station wagon when he was hit by a south-bound SUV allegedly driven by 27-year-old Edward Cramer. Based on reports, EMS crews rescued the 78-year-old Byrd from his car and then transported him to Anne Arundel Medical Center. Unfortunately, the musician died of cardiac arrest no long after arriving at the hospital
The later articles indicated that Cramer had been indicted on charges of vehicular manslaughter in the traffic-related death of Gene “Joe” Byrd. Based on these recent articles, authorities have brought a total of six counts against Cramer, now 28, for a variety of offenses including reckless and negligent driving, negligent manslaughter, criminal negligent manslaughter, and failure to stop at a traffic signal, as well as failure to yield the right of way.
The charges stem from that March automobile accident in which police claim that the defendant drove his GMC Yukon through a red light as Byrd was making a left turn. The indictment apparently states that Byrd had the right of way when Cramer’s vehicle slammed into the musician’s vehicle that day in Anne Arundel County. If Cramer is convicted of the charges brought against him, he could be facing up to a decade in jail as well as a $5,000 fine. Currently, Mr. Cramer is being confined at a local detention center by authorities.
Man indicted in death of jazz bassist Byrd, CapitalGazette.com, September 17, 2012