Driver Charged In I-695 Crash That Killed 6 Released On Home Detention

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — A Baltimore County judge this week ordered one of two drivers charged in connection with her role in a March crash on the Baltimore Beltway that killed six highway workers to be released on home detention, according to a report.

Lisa Adrienne Lea, 54, of Randallstown, was released Wednesday after another judge initially denied her bail in June, the Baltimore Banner reported. While she awaits trial, Lea cannot drive and can only leave her house to attend doctor appointments, legal meetings, and religious services.

"She should have been released originally," said Lea's attorney, William Murphy Jr., the Banner reported. "And this judge corrected that today."

Lea was indicted in June on 28 counts related to the March 22 crash. Charges against Lea include six counts of negligent manslaughter and one claiming she was driving while under the influence of drugs.

A second driver — Melachi Brown, 20, of Baltimore — is also charged with manslaughter and other offenses in connection with the crash.

According to authorities, Lea was driving a 2017 Acura on the I-695 inner loop near Interstate 70 when she attempted to change lanes. As she did, police said her vehicle hit the front corner panel of a Volkswagen driven by Brown. The impact caused Lea to lose control of the car before crashing into the work zone, police said.

According to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board, the Acura passed through an opening in the concrete barriers separating the work zone from the highway travel lanes. As the car traveled through the work zone, it struck miscellaneous construction materials and the workers, overturning before it came to a stop.

Emergency personnel pronounced six workers dead on the scene, police said.

Prosecutors said Lea had marijuana and five prescription medications in her system at the time of the crash. Prosecutors also said she was traveling at 121 mph and weaving in and out of traffic shortly before the collision.

Last month, District Judge Kathleen C. Murphy ordered Lea to be held without bail because she presented a flight risk and was a danger to public safety.