Annapolis, Maryland – A Glen Burnie man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for driving while intoxicated, leading to a collision that left one man dead and others injured, including his 15-year-old nephew, outside Marley Station Mall, State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess announced.
Pedro Baires-Beltran, 36, entered guilty pleas Tuesday to Negligent Manslaughter While Operating a Vehicle, Causing Life Threating Injuries While Under the Influence, and Driving a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence While Transporting a Minor. In addition to prison time, Baires-Beltran was given five years of supervised probation.
"The defendant, who had a prior conviction and two pending DUIs, ignored all of the court-ordered conditions and once again drove intoxicated in the middle of the afternoon," Leitess said. "An innocent man lost his life because the defendant used another person to start his vehicle by blowing into the court-ordered ignition interlock system. This sentence removes the defendant from our roads for many years."
On April 2, 2023, just before 1 p.m., Anne Arundel County police responded to southbound Ritchie Highway at Marley Station Road in Glen Burnie for a vehicle collision. Witnesses on scene told officers that a Toyota Tundra, driven by Baires-Beltran, drove through a steady red traffic light and struck a 2007 Chevy Equinox, which was turning left on a green arrow from northbound Ritchie Highway to Marley Station Mall.
The collision caused the Equinox to then strike a 2013 BMW, which was also turning into the mall. The passenger of the Equinox, Brandon Estuardo Deleon, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Equinox was taken to the hospital for his injuries. Baires-Beltran's 15-year-old nephew, who was passenger in the Toyota Tundra, also suffered injuries.
While speaking with Baires-Beltran, officers noted the odor of alcohol on his breath and body. He was taken to Bayview Medical Center, where he was given a mandatory blood alcohol test. At the scene, police observed an unusual cable attached to the center console and an ignition interlock that had been disconnected. It was learned that Baires-Beltran had prior convictions for Driving Under the Influence and was required to have an ignition interlock installed on his vehicle. Investigation revealed Baires-Beltran had another person provide a breath sample into the interlock in order to drive while under the influence.
Assistant State's Attorney Carolynn Grammas prosecuted the case on the behalf of the citizens of Anne Arundel County, with the Honorable J. Michael Wachs presiding.