LEONARDTOWN, Md. (January 9, 2012)—The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office today released the following incident and arrest reports.
FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION: On January 6 at 7:09 p.m., deputies responded to a serious motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian on Indian Bridge Road in the area of Knotts Drive in California. Arriving deputies found Dennis Mark Todd, 51, of California, deceased in the roadway. The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Crash Reconstruction Team responded to the scene to assume the investigation.
Preliminary investigation revealed Mr. Todd was attempting to start his 1995 Mazda B3000 pick up truck by pushing it into Indian Bridge Road. Mr. Todd was outside of his vehicle in the door jamb pushing the driver less vehicle. It appears Mr. Todd was attempting to gain enough speed to jump into the truck and pop the clutch to start it. Mr. Todd was wearing dark clothing and no lights illuminated his truck as it entered southbound lane #1 of Indian Bridge Road. Mr. Todd was either stopped in the roadway or attempting to push his truck into southbound lane #1 when a southbound 2007 Hyundai Tiburon, operated by Joan Louise Farrar, 55, of Tall Timbers, approached. Mrs. Farrar noticed the truck in the roadway a short distance away and attempted to avoid striking it by swerving into the northbound lane, however there was oncoming traffic. Mrs. Farrar swerved back into the southbound lane and struck the Mazda truck while Mr. Todd was in the door jamb area.
Mr. Todd was pronounced dead on the scene. At this time speed, alcohol and/or drugs do not appear to be contributing factors to the crash. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash and has not already provided their information to authorities is requested to contact the primary crash investigator, Corporal Doug Mills at (301)863-4816 Ext. 1456.
SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT: On January 7, deputies responded to a residence on Yorktown Road in Lexington Park for the report of a disturbance. Investigation revealed James Errick Barnes, 40, of Lexington Park, was engaged in a verbal dispute with the victim which escalated into a physical assault when Barnes shoved the victim into a door and pulled the victim's hair. Barnes was arrested and charged with second degree assault.
THEFT: On January 8, deputies responded to Walmart in California for a theft report. Investigation revealed loss prevention personnel observed Aaron Bray Ledbetter, 18, of California, take clothing merchandise and concealed it underneath his jacket. Ledbetter then left the store without paying for the merchandise. The loss prevention personnel detained Ledbetter and called police. Deputy Krum arrested Ledbetter and charged him with theft.