UPDATE: Daniel Burridge sentenced to 15 years in prison
On July 21, 2019, Daniel Burridge was driving southbound on Maryland Route 4 when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility pole killing his passenger, Sgt. Oriana Motta-Gaitan. Burridge, who was intoxicated, fled from the scene of the crash and was apprehended after a manhunt conducted by both the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Timothy J. Maher. Burridge pled guilty to Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle and was sentenced on September 14, 2020, to the maximum possible sentence, 15 years in the Division of Corrections.
DWI HIT PARADE: St. Mary’s Sheriff Tim Cameron reports speed and booze played role in Steven Gilmore slamming his motorcycle into rear of southbound Dodge; Sheriff Mike Evans reports suspected DUI driver Daniel Burridge fled wreck leaving his passenger to die
ORAVILLE, MD. – A motorist on Rt. 235 near Oraville realized his truck had been hit from behind but whoever and whatever hit him disappeared, thus he called the police.
St. Mary’s Sheriff Tim Cameron reports that on July 20, 2019, at 11:14 p.m. St. Mary’s deputies responded to the reported motor vehicle collision in the area of Harpers Corner Road and Rt. 235 near Oraville.
Deputies arrived on scene and were advised by Marvin Leander Jones Jr., 49 of Waldorf, that he was driving on Three Notch Road when another vehicle collided with his vehicle, however, he was unable to locate the other vehicle. Deputies began checking the area and observed motorcycle debris. Deputies quickly located an injured subject who was lying in bushes, off the roadway.
Police say the motorcyclist was later identified as Steven Marcus Gilmore, 22, of 373392 Newlands Street, Mechanicsville, Md. Lifesaving measures were attempted on scene however Gilmore ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene and continued the investigation.
A preliminary investigation determined Jones was traveling southbound on Three Notch Road operating a 2013 Dodge Durango. Gilmore was also traveling southbound on Three Notch Road operating a 2018 Suzuki GSX motorcycle. For unknown reasons Gilmore ran into the back of the Durango, causing Gilmore’s motorcycle to leave the roadway, strike a curb, and Gilmore being ejected from the motorcycle.
Police say that at this time speed and alcohol appear to be contributing factors in the collision. Anyone with information on the collision is asked to contact Corporal Christopher Beyer at (301) 475-4200 extension *8004 or by email at Christopher.Beyer@stmarysmd.com.
Gilmore was charged with speeding on Rt. 242 in 2018 and on Cox Drive in 2017 by St. Mary’s Sheriff Deputies.
DANIEL BURRIDGE FLED AFTER SUSPECTED BOOZE CRASH AND LEFT HIS PASSENGER DYING IN WRECK
DUNKIRK, MD. – A driver with a record of a need for speed and DWI was also fleetfooted when running away from a wreck where he left his passenger bleeding to death. He just wasn’t fast enough for the deputies who hunted him down and put on the cuffs.
According to Calvert Sheriff Mike Evans, on Sunday, July 21, 2019, at 3:59 a.m., members of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau and Crash Reconstruction Team were dispatched to a report of a single-vehicle accident near Southern Maryland Blvd. in the area of West Ward Road Dunkirk, MD.
Preliminary investigation revealed a 2005 Dodge Neon SRT was traveling southbound on Southern Maryland Blvd in the area of West Ward Road and for unknown reasons left the roadway and struck a utility pole.
YELLOW-BELLIED COWARD!
DANIEL BURRIDGE FLED AFTER SUSPECTED BOOZE CRASH AND LEFT HIS PASSENGER DYING IN WRECK
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Daniel John Burridge, 36, of 12704 Haskell Lane, Bowie, Md., failed to remain on the scene of the crash, however, was apprehended nearby after a search by law enforcement personnel. Daniel Burridge was then transported to Calvert Health Medical Center for treatment. A front-seat passenger in the vehicle, identified as Oriana Sherezade Motta Gaitan, 27, of North Beach, MD, was pronounced deceased on the scene as a result of her injuries.
Police say that alcohol appears to be a contributing factor in the crash.
The collision remains under investigation by DFC. J. Hardesty of the Crash Reconstruction Team. Anyone with additional information regarding the collision is asked to contact the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office at (410) 535-2800 or e-mail the investigator at Jeffrey.hardesty@calvertcountymd.gov.
Burridge was cited for driving his 2011 Chevy Camaro northbound on Rt. 5 near Cracklingtown Road at 93 mph in a 55-speed zone by Charles County Patrol Officer Corey Caywood on July 29, 2017, at 5:06 pm. Burridge got a plea deal in Charles County District Court when he entered a guilty plea and was given a verdict of Probation Before Judgement on Oct. 20, 2017. A second charge of driving in a race resulted in a verdict of not guilty. Charles County States Attorney Anthony Covington should have to explain how he let off a numbskull like this guy with such an easy outcome when he was driving at such a high rate of speed on a busy road like Rt. 5 during rush hour. States Attorneys can do as they please with all charges in Maryland. Burridge hired attorney Andrew Vladimir Jezic to work the deal with Covington.
Burridge entered a guilty plea in Charles District Court to driving while suspended on Sept. 20, 2010, and was given a verdict of Probation Before Judgement. THE DEAL: Burridge was fined $100 and no jail time and all of the fine was suspended.
Daniel John Burridge was arrested for DWI by St. Mary’s Sheriff Deputy Elizabeth O’Conner on January 18, 2004, as he operated a 1996 Chevy on Rt. 5 at Braxton Way in St. Mary’s County, Md. In a plea deal with St. Mary’s States Attorney Richard Fritz on April 30, 2004, in St. Mary’s Circuit Court, Burridge entered a guilty plea. THE DEAL: Burridge was sentenced to six months in jail with all of the jail time suspended except for four days and was allowed to serve the jail time on weekends. Two years of probation was part of the deal.