Prince Frederick, MD – A Calvert County man has pled guilty to negligent manslaughter in connection with a February 2014 motor vehicle crash in which a 53-year old man died. According to documents on file within the Maryland Court system, David Todd Dennison, 39 of Lusby, entered his guilty plea April 1 in Calvert County Circuit Court.
A Calvert County grand jury handed down a 14-count indictment against Dennison in March 2015. After several delays Dennison was scheduled to go to trial on the charges later this month.
According to court documents, on Feb. 5, 2014, Dennison was driving a 2011 Kia sport utility vehicle (SUV), which the accused was using without the owner’s permission. An attempt was made by Dfc. Richard Wilson to stop the SUV, which crashed near Rousby Hall Circle in Lusby. A passenger, identified as Steven Edward Coontz, 53, was transported to Calvert Memorial Hospital where he later died of the injuries sustained in the crash.
Police reports stated that Dennison and another passenger in the vehicle—Amanda Nicole Gott, 21 of Lusby—were also injured. Dennison and Gott were suspects in a theft that occurred at a Lusby convenience store prior to the crash. Gott was charged with theft less than $100 related to the alleged incident but court records indicate she was not prosecuted on that charge.
Dennison was represented at the April 1 hearing by Michael E. Lawlor.
Dennison’s sentencing on the manslaughter charge is tentatively scheduled for Monday, June 13.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com