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Drugs, reckless driving factors in fatal Jessup crash, friends say
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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Drugs and reckless driving may have contributed to the car collision in Jessup that killed four people, acquaintances of the deceased driver said Thursday.
Andrew Sturgill, 31, of Cumberland, Ky., was driving a 2000 Nissan Altima on Tuesday when it crossed over the center line of Route 1 near Patuxent Range Road and slammed into a box truck, resulting in the deaths of Stephanie Dorsey, 24, her sister Riley Smith, 7 months, and the girls’ mother, Rhonda White, 42, Howard police said.
The fifth passenger, Rachel Hatt, 3, is paralyzed from the waist down and remains in critical condition at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, said her stepbrother Doug Dorsey Jr., 22, of Glen Burnie.
Police are investigating why Sturgill crossed into oncoming traffic, but friends and family members questioned whether Sturgill intentionally wrecked the car.
“In the back of my mind, I’ve wondered if it wasn’t an accident,” said Dorsey’s friend Delbert Bragg, 22, of Glen Burnie.
Police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn said “there is absolutely no indication” the collision was a murder-suicide.
Sturgill came to Glen Burnie several weeks ago to collect an inheritance check, Dorsey Jr. said.
But he remained after meeting Dorsey through Christine Roe, 30, who lives in the apartment above Dorsey’s father and brother on Ferndale Road in Glen Burnie, Roe said.
She said Sturgill and Dorsey stayed in various local hotels and blew the money on crack cocaine, heroin and PCP.
“There’s no money left. The only thing he had left to show for it was the car,” Roe said.
Dorsey’s father, Doug Dorsey Sr., 47, said he worried about his daughter’s safety because she planned to move to Kentucky with Sturgill, whose Maryland court records include second-degree rape and assault charges that were dropped in August 2006.
White and Dorsey also had criminal records. White was charged with marijuana possession in October 2006 and was scheduled for trial in May on unrelated theft charges, according to records.
Dorsey pleaded guilty to drug possession in 2002 and 2003.
Bragg and Rico Corleone, 26, of no fixed address, said they witnessed Sturgill showing off his car by driving at excessive speeds.
The day before the collision, Corleone said he was in the car with Sturgill and Dorsey.
“I got paranoid because they were smoking crack and arguing and he was speeding. I told him, ‘I’m not riding with you,’ ” Corleone said.
cpeirce@baltimoreexaminer.com
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Examiner Reader said:
oh my god... i just found out about this now... she was my neighbor. i moved away 3 yrs ago. she was a dear friend. i'll miss her. i wish i could say more, but... i just can't i'm still just
1 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
This is pathetic. Yeah, you idiot cops. Try blaming this on the truck driver. Stopping traffic on a major highway for a FUNERAL PROCESSION?!? This blood is on your hands.
3 agree | 3 disagree
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A giraffe dies said:
Now the AA Co. police can stop traffic for another funeral procession. A mother to be and her baby dead. Nice job.
3 agree | 4 disagree
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reader said:
Re: AA co crash that killed pregnant woman: The public has an expectaion and, because tax dollars pay for the highways, a RIGHT, to a clear thoroughfare, in absence of an emergency. A funeral procession is not an emergency. I want to see heads roll in AA county government over this. I also want to see the County pay dearly for this. It's simply not just; it *is* very stupid. Poor judgement of the police caused 2 deaths, just so the family of a cop would not be inconvenienced. Bad, bad Bad! Now the blood of a mother and newborn are on the hands of that family and AA county.
4 agree | 4 disagree
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The Undertaker said:
Yeah right. And explain to me again why the highway was closed? Do they do that as well if the family member of a mere subject dies? Or do only the "Blue Blood" get this special treatment?
4 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
aacounty police like to lie. they have many times before so why is this different. aa county police are about as effective as the keystone cops but the problem is they are doing things that hurt people. hell, they are overgloriified traffic cops who do not know how to direct traffic. stopping traffic on an interstate for a policeman's father how absurd. i hope they get sued
4 agree | 4 disagree
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Kayte Brown said:
Keira Was my best friend as i was really close with becca as well we all miss them dearly and are still very heartbroken about the hole thing!! there was another fatal accident on 424 yet again the real ? is, is when is AACO going to stop pointing fingers at the drivers and start figuering out its the road!!!!!!
5 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
How is the lead status relevent here? Who are the Elders? Is this the Twilight Zone? Are vicious street beatings to be considered acceptable forms of justice now?
3 agree | 3 disagree
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Ms. Nakia said:
The facts are still being collected in this case so there should be no rush to judgment. However, I do have faith in the community leaders and elders to handle whatever challenges arise. If a beating occurred as this article alleges then did this allege "victim" provoke it? Did she have a confederate sticker on her van or use the N word. I don't know what happened I am speculating and want to get to the truth. I am requesting that Dr. Cheatem demand a grand jury investigation. I would also like to know if this rental property was certified as lead free. The more information we learn the more questions we have!
3 agree | 5 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Living the thug life, making Martin Luther King proud of his hard work.
3 agree | 2 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Doc Cheat'em "strolls" around town in his poorly taylored pimp suits, making stupid comments about issues he's not qualified to speak about, then remains silent on something like this. The NAACP is out of money, leadership and relevance and is on the brink of insolvency because it's been unable to justify its continued existence. This once-proud civi rights organization has been reduced to a carnival, run by clowns.
4 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
In a perfect world the NAACP and Dr. Cheat-um would stand up and loudly protest the actions of these sub humans, but apparently it is totally acceptable for this kind of behavior in the black community, THE NAACP SHOULD BE DISMANTLED!!it doesn't serve a civil purpose.
3 agree | 4 disagree
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Damian said:
yes the NAACP should speak out, but it won't if it can't spin the story as a way that their target demographics are shown as victims, not instigators. here is a color that should be protected...the mixture of RED, BLACK & BLUE of the victim!
5 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Does anyone know why the NAACP doesn't speak of such violence brought on our City by their people of color?Could it be that they are ashamed or is it that they just don't care.Maybe if money was involed it would be different.NAACP should be ashamed of what they stand for.Always trying to sue somebody and meanwhile back at the ranch their own people are becoming more violent criminals.Martin L. King would be so proud!!!
4 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
This is their way of life.They could care less what anyone thinks of them.They think they own the world.You won't see the NAACP anywhere around this type of story.There concern has nothing to do with the wrong their ppl do.It was a neigborhood full of Bobby Jacks,what other type of behavior would we exspect.It is a shame that they raise their kids to hate others and teach them violence.This child that lost his life is in our hearts.God Bless Him.
3 agree | 4 disagree
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Howard said:
Beating the driver of the van, that was not at fault???Now I know where those thug-bus beater kids get it from. You folks in Baltimore city are out of control!
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Examiner Reader said:
I wonder if the driver of the van is a city school teacher. It probably doesn't matter. Some people will use any reason to act violently.
3 agree | 3 disagree
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michael said:
Such a double standard, here you have children losing there life to this accident & yet everyday of their lives they have the drugs & guns in there eyes growing up. Where is the action in the neighborhood, oh wait; mommy & sometimes daddy are dealing....that is ok.
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Examiner Reader said:
Assassinated? Elders? What? The steps are broken because the VAN HIT IT.
4 agree | 4 disagree
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Nakia Barksdale said:
The facts are still developing in this case. But one thing is clear. If a precious child is assassinated in our community the elders will administer justice. Why did this "landlord" allow the front porch to deteriorate into scraps of concrete? Is this rental lead paint certified. This families hard earned money is being spent on sub-standard housing. Will bet dollars to doughnuts that there are numerous housing code violations in this rental. That is the real story. Until the government begins providing the service owed to the community, the Elders will continue to lead and provide protection and justice.
2 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
"Where else would someone have little toodlers this age out and about at 12:00am" Clearly you have a serious reading comprehension problem. The article plainly says, "The incident happened before 8 p.m. Saturday". Idiot.
3 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Lets see if any charges are brought against those who violently attacked this woman.I say it won't be because they will cry distress.This poor woman has to live with the fact a child died and even though it was not her fault.She is lucky to be alive.I like to know where the kids were when this woman was being attacked.It had to have just happened and these lowlifes were beating someone up while those kids needed help.That just goes to show what kind of people they are.SCUM OF THIS EARTH,THATS WHAT I CALL THEM
3 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Beating a woman, how classy! Maybe they should start beating up these drug dealers that are destroying their community
9 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Come on NAACP (Mr. Cheatham), What excuse do you have now!
5 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Tylertu, Here, Here, I couldn't have put it better myself. Now if only these irresponsible wastes of oxygen would only get it. Unfortunately the voice of reason is mute when it comes to these people.
5 agree | 4 disagree
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tylertu said:
This is what happens when the family structure breaks down and you have kids raising kids. You end up with stupid violent people who were never taught basic civility. Their response to anything is always violent. The sad part is we all suffer. Streets are not safe because these people will attack you if you just look at them. The neighborhoods are full of crime because they won't SNITCH, they try to justify violence with stupidity. Where is Doc Cheatem? Why doesn't he condem this type of behavior and stand up and make statement. Where is Mayor Dixon? Will she walk down a dark street alone after sundown? It's the children of these animals that make our schools unsafe and our lives miserable!
6 agree | 4 disagree
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Boo Hoo said:
I heard about this on Channel 13 news, and there was no mention of the woman being beaten.
3 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I feel for these two children, but the driver did not deserve to get beaten for this, the crowd knew it was not her fault and the fact that two children were involved made her feel terrible but the crowd still beat her up, what is the matter with you people, you can bet if that was me I would definately file charges against the jerk who assaulted me.
4 agree | 3 disagree
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Damian said:
when you have a populous among whom the mentality is both that of victimization and the non-prevailing of justice, the mob takes over. you just hope that the same people who were involved in this vigilante justice take the same initiative and report intimidation, gang activity and drug dealing from within their own ranks, within their own neighborhoods however, I doubt it.
4 agree | 2 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Wait a minute, I thought the article mentioned that the people which witnessed this accident were well aware that the driver was not responsible? Then why in the helll did they beat her up?. You know how offended when inner city people get looked at as animals, well here is the proof. This is exactly why they are looked upon as hoodlums, losers and thugs, so next time someone posts one of their crying sessions on this comment board, don't bother, and stop wondering why you people are thought of that way, it's because yall act like uncivilized animals ands should be looked at exactly that way. You don't just go around assaulting people for no reason. I would bet that the woman that was assaulted was probably white, if not, it really doesn't matter it's someting you just don't do, period.
4 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
You could say that the woman was in the wrong place at the wrong time but in reality there is no right time to be in Baltimore City.
5 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Mob mentality at its finest.
2 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I will never stop NOW if I hit someone in the ghetto...period. I will drive home and THEN call the police.. If this is how resident deal with people, BEAT THEM!!!...I will leave them to themselves. NO sympathy from this City resident.
3 agree | 3 disagree
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The Undertaker said:
These thugs need to be prosecuted!
4 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
That is without a doubt the worst stretch of road around. Your forced to drive 65 to 75 to keep from being run over. People switch lanes like crazy.
4 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
the driver was probably on a cell phone truth be told
4 agree | 4 disagree
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The Undertaker said:
Everyone needs to slow the hell down when driving.
5 agree | 3 disagree
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Justice 4 All said:
Mr. Broadwater, please, please follow up on this story. The public should know who the driver of the Uhaul truck was and how this will be prosecuted by the State's Attorney's office. There is NO excuse for leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury. I wonder if the driver was an illegal alien or just some local scum-bag?
4 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Dear previous poster... What do you mean what were they doing out at midnight??? It was a Saturday night and they were at a friend's house. They were not out gallovanting, using drugs, or drinking.
6 agree | 6 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
More hit and runs occur in Carrol County than any other County. Route 30 and 140 is a mess and the state highway administration should be held accountable. Lives are nothing to play with. Some agencies have no value for life.
6 agree | 6 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
U-Haul should know exactly who rented a truck with "a large image of an Illinois aquatic creature called a Tully Monster"
10 agree | 7 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
what were these kids doing running around at midnight? parents need to be parents, not best friends.
20 agree | 18 disagree
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