Glen Allen man faces manslaughter charges in I-95 deaths
A Glen Allen man faces two charges of aggravated involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of two Richmond men in a crash on the James River Bridge almost two months ago.
Mark Merrick Jr., 26, was arrested Friday and charged in the July 22 deaths of Antonio Montague, 22, and Travis McCauley, 27. The men were killed when they were struck by Merrick's car after getting out of their vehicle on the Interstate 95 bridge to change a flat tire, said Richmond Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Tracy Thorne-Begland.
Two other people who had gotten out of the car were injured in the crash.
Matthew P. Geary, a former city prosecutor who is defending Merrick, said his client and family expressed their condolences to the families of the two victims. But "we don't agree that this tragic accident was aggravated manslaughter," Geary said yesterday.
In addition to the manslaughter charges, Merrick has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a suspended license. The DUI charge is Merrick's second such offense, Thorne-Begland said. Geary confirmed that Merrick has been convicted previously of DUI, but Geary did not provide details.
Geary said Merrick's license had been suspended for failing to pay a traffic fine. "I don't know that Mr. Merrick knew his [driving] privileges had been suspended," he said.
Merrick's attorneys also have retained a toxicologist to examine the blood tests taken at VCU Medical Center to determine his blood alcohol level.
Merrick was injured in the crash, which occurred about 12:45 a.m. in the left northbound lane of the interstate as it crosses the James River. There are no shoulders on the bridge for drivers to park disabled vehicles, but police advise drivers to keep going on the wheel rim if necessary to reach a safe stopping place.
Merrick was indicted by a Richmond grand jury Sept. 7 after an investigation by Virginia State Police. He is scheduled to appear Oct. 7 in Richmond Circuit Court for a status hearing.
Contact Michael Martz at (804) 649-6964 or
.
Reader Reactions
Talk about responsibility, the idiot stopped on a bridge at night to change the tire, putting everyone at risk. A new tire costs about $50 - why didn’t he continue to a safer area to put on the spare? I had the same problem in the same spot a few months prior to this and it’s a no-brainer to ruin the tire and continue down the Broad St. exit to change it.
Mark Merrick Jr., 26 and family expressed their condolences to the families of the two victims. But “they don’t agree that this tragic accident was aggravated manslaughter,“
This sounds so stupid, please just accept the fact the you were driving drunk and killed two people in the process, so if you had been following the law maybe this could have been look at as an accident, but again you were drinking and took two lives, so In addition to the manslaughter charges, Merrick has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a suspended license. The DUI charge is Merrick’s second such offense, Merrick has been convicted previously of DUI, also Merrick’s license had been suspended for failing to pay a traffic fine. Please grow up and take responsibility fo ryour actions…... I hope you get the MAX!!!
My heart goes out to the family and friends.. People please get a grip on the facts here, they could have easily broken down and could not move the car and could have been hit. It could have been your family, so don’t defend this man or any other person who decides to drive drunk…... Drunk Drivers Kill
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