Maryland: David Maxwell Clark got only 18 months in jail for death of 17-year-old passenger Kevin Stavely

Boozing driver got only 18 months in jail for death of 17-year-old passenger Kevin Stavely

HUNTINGTOWN — A teen was killed by his buddy in a late night booze cruise on June 30, 2007, wrapping up a Saturday night of fun and turning it into yet another time of tragedy and unbelievable sadness for the dead teen’s family.  Dead was Kevin Stavely, 17, of Sunderland.

Calvert County States Attorney Laura Martin signed off on a plea deal that gave a DUI killer only 18 months in jail in death of Kevin Stavely.

Calvert Sheriff’s officers report that on June 30, 2007, at 11:03 p.m. DFC Christopher Childress, other members of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and members of the Maryland State Police Prince Frederick Barrack responded to the scene of a motor vehicle crash at Walnut Creek Road and Shelley’s Crossing in Huntingtown.

Upon arrival responding officers determined that it appears speed was a factor when a 2000 Subaru was traveling westbound on Walnut Creek Road and the driver lost control of the vehicle.  The car left the roadway and struck the edge of a driveway becoming airborne, then slid across the roadway, struck a curb and came to rest in a ditch.

The left rear passenger, who was not wearing a seatbelt, a 17-year-old male from Sunderland, was ejected out the rear windshield.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.  The driver, identified as David Maxwell Clark, 19, of 1214 Fairfax Ave., Churchton, Md. was found to be under the influence of alcohol.

He was charged with homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence in addition to ten other charges including driving under the influence and failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision.

The driver along with a third passenger in the vehicle, 19-year-old Craig M. Gleason of Dunkirk, were both wearing seatbelts and were not injured in the crash.  Clark’s bond was set at $250,000.

Gleason left the scene of the wreck, causing firefighters to search for him.

Clark entered a guilty plea to negligent manslaughter in Calvert County Circuit Court on Jan. 28, 2008,  in a plea deal with Calvert County States Attorney Laura Martin that gave him a ten year sentence in prison with all but eight and one-half years suspended, which meant that he served his time in the local jail instead of going to prison. He was also given five years of supervised probation. Five other charges including DUI were dropped in the plea deal.