Driver Pleads Guilty In Baltimore Beltway Crash That Killed 6: Report

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — One of two drivers charged in connection with a March 2023 crash on the Baltimore Beltway that killed six highway workers has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of negligent vehicular manslaughter, according to a Baltimore Banner report.

Melachi Brown, 20, of Baltimore, appeared before a judge Wednesday and accepted responsibility for the crash that happened on the inner loop of Interstate 695 near I-70, the Banner reported.

Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on March 28. Prosecutors plan to recommend a 60-year prison sentence with all but 1 1/2 years suspended, the Banner reported.

Brown and Lisa Adrienne Lea, 54, of Randallstown, were indicted and arrested in June, three months after the crash.

Before the crash, police said Lea was driving a 2017 Acura on the I-695 inner loop 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 stopped.

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

Lea was taken to the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Shock Trauma Center for treatment, according to authorities. Police said Brown stopped his car north of the scene on I-695, where it became disabled. He was not injured.

Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger indicted Lea on 28 counts, including a charge claiming she was driving while under the influence of drugs.

Prosecutors said Lea had marijuana and five prescription medications in her system at the time of the crash, according to a separate Baltimore Banner report. Prosecutors also said she was traveling at 121 mph and weaving in and out of traffic shortly before the collision.

Brown reportedly was driving more than 120 mph before the crash, according to reports. He was also indicted on 28 charges, including six counts of felony negligent manslaughter by vehicle and six counts of death of a vulnerable person, according to police.

The NTSB said speed likely contributed to the crash. The posted speed limit in the work area was 55 mph.