Police have filed charges against a Baltimore County man in connection with a fatal crash that occurred in August, resulting in the death of a good Samaritan. The incident took place on the night of August 13 on an Interstate 395 bridge in Baltimore, where the body of Robert Taylor Horne, 50, of Smithsburg, was tragically found by rescue crews.

Horne had selflessly stopped to assist another driver whose vehicle had broken down. To alert other drivers to the disabled car, he had set up multiple warning lights. However, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Police stated that excessive speed and driving under the influence were factors that led to the fatal crash. A speeding SUV collided with another vehicle before striking Horne, propelling him over the bridge wall and into the water below. Investigations revealed that the SUV driver was traveling at a speed of 101 mph.

The suspected driver of the SUV, Latrell S. Sanders, 28, from Windsor Mill, has now been charged with several offenses, including manslaughter by vehicle, driving a vehicle on a highway at a speed exceeding the limit, and driving under the influence of alcohol. An arrest warrant was issued based on evidence collected from the scene, and Sanders was taken into custody on Wednesday morning at the Jennifer Road Detention Center in Anne Arundel County.

Sgt. Brady McCormick of the MDTA Police emphasized the complexities of the investigation, stating that these types of cases require extensive time and effort to gather all relevant evidence. The aim is to ensure that the appropriate charges are filed.

The tragic incident was captured on dashcam video obtained by 11 News. The footage depicts paramedics halting traffic and desperately searching over the bridge wall for Horne, who had been thrown into the water more than 100 feet below.

Reflecting on the preventable nature of such crashes, Sgt. McCormick reiterated that choices made by individuals, such as driving while impaired and at excessive speeds, contribute to these tragic incidents. While Sanders has a history of traffic-related offenses, including a prior charge of driving while impaired by alcohol, he had also pleaded guilty to driving with a suspended license in 2022 and was charged with speeding that same year.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Detention Facilities served Sanders with the warrant, emphasizing the commitment to thorough investigations to ensure justice for the victim and his family.

As the legal process continues, this devastating incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible and sober driving, as well as the potential consequences of dangerous choices made behind the wheel.