What if Someone Dies As a Result of Your DUI Accident?

 Posted on April 16, 2025 in DUI Charges

A Maryland woman is now facing up to 22 years in prison after a conviction for felony negligent manslaughter resulting from a drunk driving crash that killed one child and injured others. The young woman was impaired while transporting the children and crashed near Chingville and Point Lookout Roads.   

There is a ten-year maximum prison term in Maryland for grossly negligent manslaughter by motor vehicle, a three-year maximum sentence for life-threatening injury while driving under the influence, and a two-year maximum sentence for driving under the influence of alcohol, per se, while transporting a minor. The woman is to be held without bond until the sentencing hearing.

Any DUI offense can be extremely serious, resulting in prison time, high fines and fees, and the loss of driving privileges. When a minor is in the car, or someone is injured or dies, the penalties increase. If you are facing DUI charges or charges resulting from an accident with injuries or death while you were impaired, you need a strong legal advocate by your side. An Anne Arundel County, MD DUI lawyer can help ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process.  

What Is Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle?

When a person dies in an auto accident because of another’s negligence, the negligent driver may be charged with either manslaughter by motor vehicle or criminally negligent manslaughter by motor vehicle. Manslaughter by motor vehicle means the death was caused by a person who was driving in a grossly negligent manner or a manner that significantly deviated from what a reasonable driver would have done, given the same set of circumstances.

In some cases, the very fact that the driver was drinking can result in charges of gross negligence. Criminally negligent manslaughter is different in that the conduct of the driver who was drinking and caused an accident must have involved the failure of that driver to see a risk that a reasonable person would have recognized.

A conviction for manslaughter by motor vehicle is a felony offense that can result in up to ten years in prison and fines as large as $5,000. A conviction for criminally negligent manslaughter by motor vehicle is a misdemeanor offense that can result in up to three years in prison and a fine as large as $5,000. The offense of causing life-threatening injuries to another person while under the influence can result in up to two years in prison and a fine as large as $3,000.   

In addition to the legal penalties associated with these DUI offenses, the driver convicted of manslaughter by motor vehicle may also face a civil lawsuit from the victim's family. The driver may also have his or her driver’s license suspended or revoked, leading to job loss and the inability to obtain employment in the future. Auto insurance rates for those with DUI-related convictions will increase significantly for many years to come.

What Are the Primary Defenses for Charges of Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle?

While every situation is unique, there are several defenses associated with charges of manslaughter by motor vehicle, including:

• The conduct of the driver did not rise to the level of gross or criminal negligence.
• The victim’s actions contributed to the accident.
• The accident was caused by something beyond the driver’s control, such as mechanical failure or faulty equipment.

Contact a Montgomery County, MD DUI Lawyer

If you are facing any type of DUI charges, contact a highly skilled  Rockville, MD DUI attorney from Law Offices of Mallon Snyder. Attorney Snyder has over 45 years of experience, is available 24/7, and provides personalized coaching and trial preparation to help his clients understand the process and present themselves in the best possible light. He will fight aggressively for you in court and has great relationships with local judges. Call 301-762-7500 to schedule your free consultation. Habla Espanol.