Paramedics were called to the Howard Circuit Courthouse on Thursday when a distraught mother was overcome and unable to catch her breath moments after a drunken driver pleaded guilty to killing her son.
Aleksandr Dyubanov, 46, of Taneytown, pleaded guilty to homicide by motor vehicle during an emotional hearing that left the victim’s mother hysterical and unable to leave the courthouse without medical attention.
Dyubanov faces up to five years in prison for the death of Luther Beamer III, 23, of Odenton, who was struck April 23 while standing on the right-hand shoulder of Route 32 near Deer Hill Road at the Carroll County line near Sykesville.
Beamer’s family and friends declined to comment, saying only that Beamer’s death “was senseless and tragic” before turning their attention to his mother’s well-being.
Crying, Beamer’s parents clung to one another while the prosecutor recounted their son’s death before retired Howard Circuit Judge Raymond Kane Jr.
Beamer was filling the gas tank of his disabled GMC truck, when Dyubanov’s 2002 Toyota Tacoma pickup veered off the road and struck him.
Beamer’s passenger, Shawn Broughton, 25, who watched the collision, tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate Beamer.
He died shortly after midnight April 24 at Howard County General Hospital.
Dyubanov, who was uninjured in the collision, was returning home from work and had a blood alcohol content of .22 — nearly three times the legal limit.
Defense attorney Peter O’Neill said Beamer was driving that night even though his license had been revoked, and an autopsy indicated Beamer’s blood alcohol content was .14 — also above the legal limit.
The prosecutor is recommending Dyubanov be sentenced to five years at the Howard County Detention Center with all but 18 months suspended.
Dyubanov, who has no prior criminal record, is out on $50,000 bond until his Dec. 4 sentencing.
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