The family of a teenager killed in a Maryland car accident last year cried for joy on October 25 as the person responsible for the crash was convicted of motor vehicle manslaughter and several related charges.
A Prince George’s County Circuit Court jury found the defendant, 38-year-old Adrian Johnson, guilty on several counts in relation to a drunken driving accident in Brandywine. The February 2011 crash killed 18-year-old Lawrence Garner Jr. and seriously injured his best friend, 19-year-old Robert Mitchell II.
Johnson was an off-duty FBI agent assigned to the state attorney general’s protection team at the time of the crash. He resigned shortly after the accident.
The accident occurred when Garner attempted to pull onto southbound North Keys Road, and Johnson, who was traveling northbound on the road, crossed the center line and crashed into the driver’s side of Garner’s vehicle.
According to the prosecution, Johnson was driving 18 miles above the posted speed limit of 40. Toxicology reports also showed he had a blood alcohol level of .25 at the time of the accident. Witnesses said they observed Johnson speeding and swerving shortly before the crash.
The defense, however, argued that those factors were irrelevant to the cause of the crash. They contended that the accident occurred because Garner pulled out in front of Johnson and that the crash would have occurred even if Johnson had been sober and driving the speed limit.
After two hours of deliberation, the jury sided with the prosecution. The judge sentenced Johnson to remain in jail until his sentencing on December 14. He faces up to 13 years in jail.
The law firm of Nickelsporn & Lundin offers condolences to the family of Mr. Garner and wish Mr. Mitchell a complete recovery.