Prince Frederick, MD – A Calvert County woman has pleaded guilty to two counts of negligent manslaughter by motor vehicle in connection with the deaths of two bicyclists last October. The defendant, Catherine Frances Lyon, 62 of Huntingtown, entered her plea Friday, May 20 in Calvert County Circuit Court before Judge E. Gregory Wells.
Lyon was driving a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on Tobacco Road in Chesapeake Beach Saturday, Oct. 31 shortly before 3 p.m. At the same time, a tandem operated by John Henrik Fauerby, 64, and Lynne Frances Rosenbusch, 58, both of Clarksburg, was also northbound in front of Lyon’s Jeep.
Police investigators reported the Jeep struck the tandem from behind, ejecting Fauerby and Rosenbusch. Police reported Rosenbusch, who was riding on the back of the tandem, was pronounced dead at the scene. Fauerby was taken to Calvert Memorial Hospital (CMH) where he died a short time later.
Lyon (pictured on the right) originally told police she arrived at the scene after the victims were injured. “She was very upset and had alcohol on her breath,” said Assistant State’s Attorney Andrew Rappaport, who read the statement of facts during the hearing. Lyon, who told police she had been going to her daughter’s house to see her grandchildren before they went trick-or-treating, admitted to drinking two cocktails before driving the Jeep.
Rappaport said Lyon failed the sobriety tests administered at the scene, was arrested and taken to CMH for a blood test and then to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office for a breathalyzer test. According to court documents, Lyon was given the Intox EC/IR-II breath test and blew a .12 BrAC.
Lyon was freed on $200,000 bond shortly after her arrest. In late December a grand jury handed down an 11-count indictment against Lyon.
Rappaport requested that Lyon’s bond be revoked. “Now that she has pled guilty she is in a different light,” he said, adding that Lyon posed a danger to the community as a driver and was also a flight risk.
Lyon’s attorney, Joseph Carey, countered that his client has not been driving since the crash occurred and has been at every required court hearing. “No way do I or my client want to minimize the tragedy,” said Carey, who suggested the court consider home detention for Lyon instead.
“I’m not going anywhere, I’m not a flight risk,” Lyon told Wells.
Carey added that Lyon and her family have “been devastated by this tragedy.”
Wells admitted he had concerns that Lyon might “get behind the wheel,” but still allowed the defendant to remain free, warning that “if there are problems” Lyon’s bond status will be reconsidered. Lyon’s sentencing is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 5. A pre-sentence investigation will be conducted prior to that court proceeding.
Lyon could receive a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
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