JAMAL SCARBOROUGH SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON FOR GROSSLY NEGLIGENT VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER AND VARIOUS OTHER CHARGES

Wicomico County, MD - On April 8, 2025, Jamal Scarborough, a 28-year-old from Marion Station, Maryland, appeared before the Circuit Court for Wicomico County and pleaded guilty to several charges, including Grossly Negligent Vehicular Manslaughter, Failing to Stop at an Accident Scene Involving Death, and Fleeing and Eluding Police.

Administrative Judge S. James Sarbanes sentenced him to twenty years in the Division of Corrections, with no portion of the sentence being suspended.

The charges arose from an incident on March 27, 2024, when Scarborough, who was driving without a valid license, operated his vehicle southbound on Airport Road in Wicomico County, Maryland. Despite traffic being restricted to one lane due to a highway work crew, Scarborough ignored a flagger's instruction to stop and entered the active work zone.

His vehicle struck a road worker who was in a ditch on the roadside, resulting in the worker tragically passing away as a result of the injuries. The horrific event occurred in front of two law enforcement officers, who witnessed the incident and initiated a pursuit.

Scarborough led the officers on a five-mile, 10-minute chase that ended when his vehicle became disabled after entering a field.

Scarborough did not have a valid license at the time of this incident.

In response to the verdict, Wicomico County State's Attorney Jamie Dykes expressed a mix of solemnity and relief. She noted that while the conviction provides some measure of justice, it cannot heal the loss felt by the victim's family.

Dykes advocated for legislative reforms, urging Maryland's General Assembly to increase the penalties associated with Grossly Negligent Vehicular Manslaughter to better reflect the seriousness of such offenses. Her proposal includes reclassifying this crime as an act of violence to impact parole eligibility.

States Attorney Dykes stated, "These changes will give prosecutors and our courts the ability to hand down sentences more commensurate with the damage caused by these offenders."

Dykes extended her gratitude to the Maryland State Police officers, TFC Norfolk and TFC Todd, and Captain Corbin of the Natural Resources Police for their decisive response. She also commended Sgt. Gore for his thorough investigation and acknowledged the dedication of Senior Assistant State's Attorney Lauren Bourdon and Assistant State's Attorney Jeffrey Hysan, Jr., throughout the legal proceedings.