thursday,august 8, 2013 - County Times - Southern Maryland Online

Crime &PunishmentThe County TimesThursday, August 8, 2013 18Prosecutor’s SonCharged in Car CrashBy Guy LeonardStaff WriterJack Nathan Fritz, son of State’s AttorneyRichard Fritz, faces charges of driving whileintoxicated after police say he lost control ofhis 2004 Honda S2000 Sunday night as he wasdriving on Flat Iron Road and struck severaltrees.Fritz, 22, was found by Dep. Lacey Johnsonin a field on the side of Flat Iron Roadafter leaving his wrecked vehicle apparentlyunharmed.Johnson wrote in charging documentsagainst Fritz that his car “had disabling damagefrom hitting numerous trees.”Johnson went on to write that Fritz admittedto “tasting a couple of drinks” at a friendshome before driving.Johnson said he smelled a strong odor ofalcohol emanating from Fritz when he first encounteredhim.Fritz refused to submit to field sobrietytests, court papers stated.When he began interviewing Fritz, Johnsonread him his rights under the law withregards to motorists stopped for suspicionof driving under the influence, according tocharging papers, and asked Fritz if he hadchanged his mind about submitting to the tests.Johnson wrote that he asked Fritz if hecould understand what was being read to him;Fritz did not say whether he could understand.Fritz then asked if Johnson would readit to him again; Johnson said he would not,charging papers stated.Fritz again refused to take the breathalyzertest and was placed under arrest.Police sources said that Fritz was sequesteredfrom the general population at the countydetention center by being put in a holding cellalone.Another police source said it would bedifficult to prosecute Fritz in court for drivingunder the influence because there was little evidenceof his intoxication other than an allegedstrong odor of alcohol coming from his person.They said, however, that Fritz’s licensewould likely be suspended because of his refusalto submit to field sobriety testing.The county’s chief law enforcement officerdeclined to comment save that no one fromhis office would be prosecuting the case.“A special prosecutor will be selected forthat case,” Richard Fritz said. “We will notbe choosing the special prosecutor, the courtwill.”guyleonard@countytimes.netMan Chargedin VehicularManslaughter CaseBy Guy LeonardStaff WriterProsecutors released an indictment this week against a man they allegecaused a motor vehcile collision that killed a U.S. Navy officer.Randy Phillip Whiten, 40, of Mechanicsville, faces charges of negligentmanslaughter and criminally negligent manslaughter in the death of Keith RaymondHanson, a lieutneant commander who resided in Frisco, Texas but hadpreviously lived in Hollywood.Law officers say Whiten was “grossly negligent” the night of June 30, 2012when his vehicle collided with the one Hanson was driving.Hanson’s wife and daughter were also in the crash and were seriously injured;all three were flown by helicopter to separate trauma centers.Assistant State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling said Hanson was at the intersectionof First Colony Boulevard and Route 235 in California when he got a greentraffic signal to turn left.As he executed the turn Whiten is alleged to have “blown through” the redlight for south bound traffic on Route 235 and crashed into Hanson’s vehicle.“Part of the facts show the defendant running through a solid red light,”Sterling told The County Times. “He never tapped his brakes.”Sterling said the evidence in the case supported a charge of gross negligenceon Whiten’s part in the collision which had a very high burden of proof in court.guyleonard@countytimes.netLAW OFFICE OFDANIEL A. M.SLADE, L.L.C.LOKER BUILDING41650 COURT HOUSE DRIVE, SUITE 301 • P.O. BOX 288LEONARDTOWN, MARYLAND 20650PHONE: 301-475-5150 • FAX: 301-475-6909