PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. (November 13, 2007)—A Bowie man is dead and his wife is in the hospital in critical condition following a motorcycle accident on Sunday in Dunkirk. Police have concluded that the driver of the second, at-fault vehicle was under the influence of narcotics at the time of the crash.
The crash happened at approximately 4:19 p.m. near Md. Rt. 4 and Brickhouse Road in Dunkirk.
This is the fifth fatality involving a motorcycle in Calvert County this year, according to Debbie Jennings, Traffic Safety Council Coordinator for Calvert County.
Police say a 2004 Boss three wheel motorcycle, being driven by Joe Deasis Malenab, Jr.,
69 of Bowie, was traveling north on Md. Rt. 4. His wife, Susan Malenab, 61 also of Bowie, was a passenger on the motorcycle. A 1990 Chevrolet truck, being driven by Patrick H. Nutter, III, 42 of Dunkirk, traveling southbound on Md. Rt. 4, attempted to cross the northbound lanes to turn onto Brickhouse Road and turned into the path of the motorcycle. The motorcycle struck the rear passenger side of the Chevrolet. Both vehicles started spinning clockwise and the Chevy truck struck a 2002 GMC SUV, operated by Brenda A. Higgins, 40 of Dunkirk, who was stopped on Brickhouse Road waiting to turn onto Md. Rt. 4.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Malenab were ejected from the motorcycle. Mr. Malenab was transported to Calvert Memorial Hospital and later pronounced dead. Mrs. Malenab was flown to P.G. Hospital Center and is listed in critical but stable condition. There were no other injuries.
Nutter was taken into custody on the scene for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A Drug Recognition Expert concluded that Nutter was under the influence of a narcotic analgesic at the time of the crash. Nutter was charged with DUI and homicide by motor vehicle while impaired by drugs.
Cpl. Gary Shrawder of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office is continuing the investigation into the crash.