Driver has been cited for speeding, negligent driving and failing to remain at the scene of an accident in recent years; plea deals made in Charles County Photo of crash scene Obituary and services
LEONARDTOWN, MD (Feb. 6, 2012) According to the Maryland State Police a driver who police believe was intoxicated killed his passenger just prior to the Super Bowl.
Police say that on February 5, 2012 at approximately 5:48 pm, Troopers from the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack responded to the area of MD Rt. 6 east of MD Rt. 235, Mechanicsville, MD for a reported single vehicle collision. Preliminary scene investigation revealed the driver lost control, traveled off the roadway, over compensated, crossing the center line and east bound lane of MD Rt. 6 and subsequently collided with a tree. Police say the driver, Jason M. Denton, 24 years of age, was transported from the scene to PG Shock Trauma via MSP Trooper 7, with life threatening injuries. The passenger, Paul S. Burnett 2nd, 32 years of age, was pronounced deceased on scene. Notification to next of kin was made by Trooper’s from the MSP Leonardtown Barrack. Driver speed and alcohol was a contributing circumstance to the collision. Investigation is being conducted by the MSP Crash Team.
“It is not a fact that driver was intoxicated but if you would like to bash driver please do so”
To the Editor:
I am a family member of Paul Burnett and I am VERY offended by the way your site is using his name! If you would like to bash on the driver please do so but I would like Paul’s name removed from your image you have created. It is very offensive to the family of Paul, and it is not fact that the driver was intoxicated at this point it is what police believe. I would appreciate a response in this matter.
Thank You,
Brittany Wagner
(Editor’s note: What is offensive is that so many people believe they can drink what they choose and then drive on our nation’s highways and endanger the lives of everyone else. We rely upon the police investigation to determine the facts of what caused a crash, as the Maryland State Police have done in this case. The police say the causes of this crash were speed and alcohol. The grief brought to the family and friends of Paul Burnett is the responsibility of the driver. The responsibility of a passenger to not accept a ride with someone who has been drinking, has in this case, been paid for with his life. R.I.P. Paul Burnett)
