Man guilty in killing of Marine, girlfriend

Ellicott City (Map, News) - The man who struck and killed a Marine and his girlfriend in a car crash on Thanksgiving will be sentenced for negligent manslaughter just days after the one-year anniversary of their deaths.

“Anniversaries hit you at levels you’re not even aware of,” said William Mathews, father of fourth-generation Marine Brian Mathews, 21, of Columbia, who was a passenger in the car.

“I don’t think Thanksgiving will be easy this year.”

Eduardo Morales-Soriano, 26, of Laurel, pleaded guilty to two counts of negligent vehicular manslaughter in the deaths of Brian Mathews and Mathews’ date Jennifer Bower, 24, of Montgomery Village.

Under the plea agreement, prosecutors agreed Tuesday to drop the eight remaining charges and said they will ask Howard Circuit Court Judge Lenore Gelfman to impose an eight-year prison sentence.

The victims were sitting at a red light at the intersection of Routes 175 and 180 when Howard police say Morales-Soriano slammed into the rear of the 2001 Toyota Corolla driven by Bower.

Morales-Soriano’s blood-alcohol concentration was four-times the legal limit at .32, according to court records. “He was unable to stand upright,” Assistant State’s Attorney Danielle Declaux said.

“If you are not a U.S. citizen, a guilty plea could subject you to deportation or removal from this country,” defense attorney Bradley Goldbloom advised Morales-Soriano, who is believed to be an illegal immigrant. “It could prevent you from ever becoming a U.S. citizen.”

Morales-Soriano also was pulled over in Riverdale in July 2006 and charged with driving the wrong way on a one-way street, speeding and negligent driving. He was found not guilty, according to court records.

Morales-Soriano’s $830,000 bond was revoked. He is scheduled for a Nov. 29 sentencing.

cpeirce@baltimoreexaminer.com