A man involved in a deadly 2023 work zone crash along I-695 in Maryland was detained for violating his probation, according to the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Melachi Brown, 22, originally received an 18-month prison sentence for his role in the March 2023 crash that killed six construction workers. According to court records, he pleaded guilty to six felony manslaughter counts as part of a plea agreement.
Authorities released him early in June 2024 and placed him on home detention.
After leaving prison, Brown was also required to complete three years of probation and 40 hours of community service. He was further banned from driving until his probation period ended.
Brown convicted for deadly work zone crash
Court records indicate that Brown was speeding at the time of the fatal crash.
His vehicle and another driven by Lisa Lea entered the work zone after Lea struck Brown’s car at a high rate of speed. Lea also received a sentence in connection with the crash after police determined she was traveling over 100 mph when her vehicle collided with Brown’s.
Lea received a 30-year prison sentence in January after pleading guilty to six counts of vehicular manslaughter. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that she crossed three lanes of traffic before striking Brown’s vehicle.
According to the NTSB, she had delta-9 THC in her system as well as cyclobenzaprine, a medication that may have impaired her ability to drive.
Previous offense
In December, police pulled Brown over for driving without a license, raising concerns for the brother of one of the victims.
Police documents state that officers stopped Brown because his taillights were not working. During the stop, Brown told the officer he did not have a license. He also said he was driving for his friends, who were leaving a hospital and heading to McDonald’s.
Jim DiMaggio, the brother of one of the victims, previously said he believes Brown received a slap on the wrist.
“I’m disappointed with our judicial system. I’m disappointed with him for doing what he did,” DiMaggio said. “It’s hard. My niece and nephew, they didn’t even get to say goodbye. I just can’t imagine. My biggest thing is slow down. Nobody should have to go through what my family and five other families went through.”