Ellicott City woman indicted for vehicular manslaughter and drug charges; Boyfriend also facing drug charges after search warrant at residence
SPECIAL FROM THE HOWARD COUNTY POLICE:
11/23/2016 Â – After a series of unfolding events over the last two months, the Howard County Police Department has been notified of a grand jury indictment that was served yesterday on an Ellicott City woman charged with vehicular manslaughter in the death of a pedestrian. Separate indictments served earlier this month also charged the woman and her boyfriend with a series of drug charges.
The case began Sept. 24 when Brittany R. McElhiney, 28, of Hobsons Choice Lane, was driving on Green Clover Drive around 10:32 a.m. According to witnesses, McElhiney was driving on the wrong side of the road and was involved in a collision with another car. Her vehicle continued to travel to the side of the roadway, striking a pedestrian. The pedestrian, Robert Dukehart, 78, of Ellicott City, was transported by ambulance to Shock Trauma for his injuries. No one else was injured.
Police began an investigation and determined that McElhiney was under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident. Drugs were also located in her car.
police discovered more than 9 pounds of marijuana, 3.5 ounces of LSD, three vials of PCP, heroin, concentrated THC and 48 pieces of THC packaged as candy, scales, packaging materials, and nearly $500 in cash. The street value of the drugs is estimated to be over $20,000.
The investigation into McElhiney’s drug use ultimately led to a search warrant at her home Oct. 6, where she resides with a boyfriend, Richard Debois, 64. At the residence, police discovered more than 9 pounds of marijuana, 3.5 ounces of LSD, three vials of PCP, heroin, concentrated THC and 48 pieces of THC packaged as candy, scales, packaging materials, and nearly $500 in cash. The street value of the drugs is estimated to be over $20,000. Both McElhiney and Debois were arrested for drug-related charges. McElhiney was released on $50,000 bond and Debois was released on $85,000 bond.
About a month into the ongoing investigation, on Oct. 20, police were notified by Shock Trauma that the pedestrian victim from the collision, Robert Dukehart, had died as a result of his injuries.
Investigators recently went before a grand jury to present all of the details of the cases. McElhiney and Dubois were both indicted on numerous drug-related offenses, including manufacturing and distribution. Yesterday, an additional indictment was served on McElhiney with charges for vehicular manslaughter and driving while impaired by drugs in the death of Robert Dukehart.
Both McElhiney and Debois remain free on bond.