Defendant Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle
Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey announced that Christopher Fuller, 35, of Dunkirk, MD has pleaded guilty to Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle, Causing Life-Threatening Injury While Under the Influence of Alcohol, and two counts of Second Degree Assault. He will be sentenced August 16, 2021.
On December 23, 2020, members of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responded to West Chesapeake Beach Road and Journey Drive for a serious motor vehicle crash involving three vehicles. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2005 Hyundai Elantra operated by Fuller was traveling west on Chesapeake Beach Road when it struck the rear of a 2012 Ford Escape operated by Kerri Lyn Clark, 50, of Chesapeake Beach, MD. The impact caused the Escape to lose control and cross into oncoming traffic. The Escape then rolled and struck a 2013 Honda CR-V operated by Lisa Ballard Porter, 37, of Owings, MD. The impact caused the Escape to become airborne and leave the roadway. The Escape went over the guardrail and down an embankment where it came to rest on the eastbound side of Chesapeake Beach Road. Fuller continued driving westbound until his vehicle was stopped by an off-duty Maryland National Capital Park Police officer. Paramedics responded to the scene and located Ms. Clark who had succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. Ms. Porter was transported from the scene by helicopter to the Prince George’s County shock trauma unit where she was treated for life-threatening injuries.
Deputies made contact with Fuller and immediately detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath. Members of the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department attempted to assist Fuller out of the vehicle during which time he became argumentative and spit in the face of a firefighter. Corporal Newcomer of the Maryland State Police attempted to restrain Fuller and in response Fuller spit in Corporal Newcomer’s eye. Fuller was eventually placed into custody and transported to CalvertHealth Medical Center where a specimen of his blood was taken. A forensic analysis of the specimen revealed the Fuller’s blood alcohol level was .17 – over twice the legal limit – following the crash.
Subsequent investigation revealed that Fuller’s vehicle was traveling 81 mph in a posted 50 mph zone at the time of the crash. Investigators also determined that Fuller was at fault for the crash which took the life of Ms. Clark and caused Ms. Porter to suffer life-threatening injuries.
The State’s Attorney’s Office wishes to commend members of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case. A special thanks is extended to Senior Deputy Hardesty and Corporal Bortchevsky of the Calvert County Crash Reconstruction Team for their efforts in leading this investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher J. Monte.
