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Wrongful Death: Man Sentenced In Auto Death Of Beloved Marriott Ridge High School Staffer

XanaxCriminal punishment does not resolve the significant emotional, familial, financial, and community loss that occurs when a loved one dies because of wrongful death caused by another person’s careless or negligent actions. This past March, a criminal court in Maryland sentenced a Columbia man who killed Mary Ann Levant to 18 months in prison for negligent manslaughter, reported The Baltimore Sun.

Columbia, MD, resident Richie Junior Burgess, age 42, evidently had taken a Xanax before colliding with Mary Ann’s car on Feb. 21, 2012. Mary Ann, who had been driving a Toyota Avalon, suffered grievous injuries in the wreck, which happened at Maryland’s Route 32 and Route 29 Interchange. She had to be extricated from her car. She sustained spinal injuries and was paralyzed from the waist down.

Before her tragic accident, Mary Ann had been working in the Howard County public school system for 40 years. She had countless supporters, excellent medical care, and received many letters praising her work, but nothing was able to bring back her health. Some four months after the crash occurred, in June, Mary Ann died as a result of the injuries. This wrongful death should never have happened.

While bringing a civil suit for wrongful death will never bring back a loved one, it is one way to obtain restitution in situations like these, for the pain and suffering, for the loss of a future with a loved one, and for the medical costs related to caring for the victim.

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has been fighting for more than 30 years for the rights of those who have suffered serious injury or lost a loved one in a wrongful death accident that should never have happened.

During Mr. Smith’s career protecting the rights of victims and their families, he has earned recognition from his peers and clients:

  • Selection as a Maryland Super Lawyer.
  • 10.0 Superb rating as a litigation (trial) lawyer by AVVO.
  • AV-Preeminent ™* Peer Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (for 25 years in a row).
  • “Client’s Choice Award” by AVVO, based on average client reviews of 5 stars — the highest client review possible.
  • 2013 Top Attorneys in Maryland (American Registry).

*These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, a lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition.

Attorney Smith is a personal injury lawyer who aggressively protects the rights of people who have been hurt, handling cases involving all types of wrongful death, car crash and other motor vehicle accident claims.

Find out how we can help you obtain full and fair compensation for injuries suffered in a car wreck or motor vehicle accident, including wrongful death, email us or call (410) 441-5054 to schedule a consultation.

We represent injured people throughout Maryland, including Howard County, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Frederick County, and Prince George’s County.