A motorist from Fairplay, MD, was ordered to pay $140 as a fine stemming from a 2009 accident that seriously injured an 8-year-old boy riding his bicycle. The fine, which was for negligent driving, was levied against Meghann Marie Weaver, 21, by the Washington County District Court. The accident occurred on August 27 along a stretch of Jordan Road. As a Maryland personal injury attorney, I have seen numerous reports of car-bicycle accident during my career — those that involve children can be the most tragic.
In this case, while the child was not killed in the accident, one of the young rider’s legs had to amputated at mid-shin. According to reports, he has been undergoing rehabilitation at the Kennedy-Krieger Institute in Baltimore. Unfortunately, this youngster will carry with him a life-long disability as a result of another person’s negligent behavior.
According to court records, other charges of reckless driving and driving a vehicle in excess of reasonable and prudent speed on a highway were dropped by the prosecutor’s office. Based on the police investigation, alcohol was not a factor in the accident.
News reports, show that there was no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved in the accident, which ruled out a reckless driving charge according to the Deputy State’s Attorney Steve Kessell. That left only speed as a factor, he said.
The boy who was hurt in the accident, David Greeley, suffered compound fractures to both legs and a head injury when he was struck by Weaver’s Pontiac Grand Am around 7pm on that day. Weaver was cresting a hill when she struck the boy on his bicycle. Young Greeley is a third-grader at Fountain Rock Elementary School, not far from where the accident occurred.
Woman pays fine in crash injuring 8-year-old, Herald-Mail.com January 6, 2010