The driver of a truck that allegedly struck and killed two teenagers in a January crash in Jessup when the traffic light was out says he?s not the man to blame.
Gary L. Dicks, 24, defended himself Wednesday against two traffic citations for negligent driving and failing to stop at a throughway.
“It is not negligent because [Mr. Dicks] had the right of way,” said his attorney Timothy Scott Mitchell.
Howard County Assistant State?s Attorney Danielle Duclaux argued that Dicks should have stopped at the intersection once he noticed the light wasn?t working.
“He sees the traffic light is out. Maybe it is the obligation of both drivers to stop? Neither did stop,” she said.
Howard County District Court Judge Pamila Brown said she needs more information before ruling on the case. Dicks faces a $500 fine.
According to police, slightly before 9:30 p.m. Jan. 6, power failed at the traffic light at the intersection of southbound Interstate 95 and westbound Route 175. About an hour and 15 minutes later, with the light still out, a tractor-trailer, driven by Dicks, exiting I-95, struck a Volvo traveling on Route 175.
Scott E. Caplan, 19, of Columbia, and Theresa E. Howard, 18, of Sykesville, who were in the Volvo, were pronounced dead at the scene.
A Maryland State Police officer and a Howard County officer responded to the scene of the intersection where the light was out, but left without marking the intersection, Howard County police said.
Both families filed civil suits earlier this month against Dicks, Maryland State Police, Meghan St. Martin of Marriottsville who drove the Volvo the night of crash and several other defendants.
