Annapolis, Maryland – This afternoon in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, William John Sternhagen, age 63, of Severna Park entered a guilty plea to charges of negligent manslaughter and reckless driving. The Honorable Judge Stacy W. McCormack sentenced Sternhagen to 10 years suspend all but 18 months active incarceration in the Anne Arundel County Detention Center. The defendant must also serve 5 years of supervised probation upon release.
On February 7, 2024, at 7:41 AM, Anne Arundel County Police officers assigned to the Western District responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Annapolis Road (Route 175) at Piedmont Lane in Hanover, MD. The investigation revealed that a 2015 Dodge Dart was traveling east on Annapolis Road when it was in the process of making a left-hand turn onto Piedmont Lane. At the same time, a 2020 Tesla Model X was westbound approaching when the two collided in the intersection. The Dodge overturned and came to rest on a grassy section adjacent to the roadway. The Tesla also came to rest on a grassy section adjacent to the roadway.
The driver of the Dodge Dart, identified as Joseph Richard Muniz, age 38, of York, PA was pronounced deceased at the scene by Anne Arundel County EMS and was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) in Baltimore for an autopsy.
The driver of the Tesla, defendant William John Sternhagen, was not injured. Crash investigators determined that Sternhagen was driving 90 miles per hour (MPH) in an area with a posted speed limit of 40 MPH at the time of the crash. Witnesses had observed him driving aggressively and weaving in and out of rush hour traffic shortly before the crash.
Following the sentencing, Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess commented, “The excessive speed and aggressive driving demonstrates the defendant’s complete disregard for the safety of other drivers on the road, many who were on their way to work that morning. When he chose to drive 50 miles over the speed limit, his actions were as dangerous as an impaired driver. This sentence is a reminder that aggressive driving and speeding can result in tragedies that devastate families. Mr. Muniz was a military veteran, husband, father of three, and a beloved youth football coach in York Township, PA. I hope that this sentence provides some solace to his family and friends in this difficult time.”
The State was represented by Assistant State’s Attorney Carolynn Grammas and the Anne Arundel County Police investigation was led by Cpl. Charles Dalton.