Scene of Sept. 5 two-vehicle crash on Route 231.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PRINCE FREDERICK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Prince Frederick, MD – A St. Mary’s County man who was the at-fault driver in a motor vehicle collision that resulted in the death of a Calvert County man last September entered a guilty plea to two charges in Circuit Court Monday, May 9.
An eight-count indictment was handed down against the defendant, Robert W. Rambo, 58 of California, in late December in connection with the crash which occurred September 5 on Route 231 near Heather Road in Barstow. Rambo was driving a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado westbound on Route 231. Around 4 p.m. the Silverado crossed the center line and struck a 2003 GMC Envoy driven by Peter Schroeder, 59 of Chesapeake Beach. Schroeder was transported to Calvert Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Rambo and a passenger in the Envoy—Mary Schroeder—were flown to MedStar Washington Hospital.
According to Calvert County Sheriff’s Office reports, officers who responded to the crash detected the smell of alcohol on Rambo’s breath prior to his transport. Tests were subsequently administered at the hospital and Rambo was charged. Those initial charges, however, were dismissed in October due to lack of probable cause.
The crash, however, remained under investigation, which resulted in the grand jury indictment two months later.
Rambo has been incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center since being served a warrant following the indictment.
During the May 9 hearing, Rambo, through his attorney, Thomas Axley, pled guilty to negligent manslaughter with an automobile, a felony charge; and causing a life-threatening injury while under the influence. Calvert County Assistant State’s Attorney Andrew Rappaport said Rambo could face as much as 11 years in jail under the state’s sentencing guidelines if it is revealed he was in violation of probation when the incident occurred.
Mary Schroeder was in the courtroom when Rambo entered the plea. Rappaport told the court in addition to the loss of her husband, Mary Schroeder “has undergone numerous surgeries” as a result of the crash. The state is seeking $25,000 restitution from the defendant on behalf of the victims’ family.
Axley said that several witnesses to the crash have stated they saw “no evidence of erratic driving” prior to the crash. The attorney added that his client suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease prior to the collision “although there is no way to prove that. He [Rambo] is extremely sorry for this. We agree the state has the evidence.”
Presiding Judge Mark Chandlee ordered a presentence investigation. Rambo is tentatively scheduled to be sentenced July 28.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
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