Maryland Natural Resources Police Blotter

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ROUTE 90 BRIDGE BOAT ACCIDENT UPDATE

Worcester County –The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) has charged a Rockville man in the Sunday morning, July 6, boating accident that occurred in Assawoman Bay at the Route 90 Bridge in Ocean City.

After consultation with the office of Worcester County State’s Attorney Joel J. Todd, NRP charged Scott Howard Shepard, 32, of Rockville with operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol, operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol, operating a vessel while impaired by drugs, and/or combination of drugs and alcohol, operating a vessel in a reckless or dangerous manner, negligent operation of a vessel, failure to maintain a proper lookout, and operating a vessel at unsafe speed for conditions. Shepard was released on his signature. A court date of Sept. 26 has been scheduled for Shepard in Worcester County District Court.

Shepard was operating a 2007 21-foot fiberglass ski boat at 1 a.m. when he struck a bridge abutment on the Route 90 Bridge. NRP along with the Ocean City Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard responded to the scene in heavy fog conditions. Several Ocean City fire fighters, who responded to the scene in their personal boats, rescued all ten occupants from the water.

The following passengers were transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center; Brenden Shepard, 26, of Rockville remains hospitalized, Danielle A. Vollmar, 23, of Lansdale, Pa. was treated and released.

The following passengers were transported to Atlantic General Hospital and were treated and released; Kendel L. Droppa, 25, of Reisterstown, Holly L. Rudigier, 27, of Columbia, Jason R. Baumann, 31, of Silver Spring, Todd Newell, 26, of Rockville and Glenn Shepard, 38, of Deland, Fla.

The remaining occupants, Melissa Shepard, 27, of Deland, Fla., Blake Newell, 27, of Silver Spring and Scott Shepard were treated at the scene.

The Route 90 Bridge was closed to vehicle traffic until Maryland State Highway inspectors determined the bridge to be safe for travel. The Ocean City Fire Department, Ocean Pines Police Department, Worcester County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police, Maryland State Highway Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard assisted NRP with the incident.

Anne Arundel County – On Friday, July 4, at 11:15 a.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged four individuals with alcohol violations on Flat Island in the Rhode River. NRP was patrolling the river and observed four males allegedly consuming beer as they stood around a folding table on the beach.

NRP charged Robert A. Morgan, 19, of Shady Side, Justin G. Bell, 18, of Galesville, John L. Garber, 20, Shady Side and Robert T. Grimsley, 19 of West River with possession of an alcoholic beverage by a person under 21 years of age. They were released on their signatures.

Garrett County – On Saturday, July 5, at 5:49 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police investigated a boating accident in the McHenry Cove area of Deep Creek Lake.

A 16-year old Swanton girl was being towed on a tube when she fell and briefly lost consciousness. She was pulled from the water and transported to Garrett Memorial Hospital where she was treated and released. No charges were filed on the operator of the vessel. The Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Department and the Northern Garrett County Rescue Squad assisted NRP with the incident.

Worcester County – On Saturday, July 5, at 11:05 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged Christopher S. Lambertson, 25, Temperanceville, Va. with operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol on the Pocomoke River near the boat ramp at Shad Landing State Park.

NRP stopped Lambertson for allegedly operating his vessel erratically and not displaying proper navigational lights on his vessel. Lambertson was arrested and transported to the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack for processing and charged with operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol, operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol, negligent operation of a vessel, operating a vessel between the hours of sunset and sunrise without proper navigation lights and registration not in possession. He was released on his signature.

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July 8, 2008

Contact: Sgt. Ken Turner 410-260-8003 office kturner@dnr.state.md.us

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 280 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov