WEST OCEAN CITY, Md.- Police have identified the 16-year-old boy who was struck and killed by an SUV ater he attempted to cross Route 50 in West Ocean City on Saturday night.
Maryland State Police have identified the victim as Matthew B. Barcase, of the unit-block of Fantail Court in Berlin. He was pronounced dead Saturday evening after being transported by ambulance from the scene to Atlantic General Hospital.
Police say that just after 8 p.m. Saturday, troopers were dispatched to a traffic crash involving a pedestrian on eastbound Route 50, east of Inlet Isle Road in West Ocean City. Responding troopers found that a 2008 Jeep Wrangler, owned and driven by 29-year-old Luis A. Rodriguez, 29, of St. Massapequa Park, N.Y., had struck a pedestrian, later identified as Barcase.
According to police, the preliminary investigation indicates that Barcase was crossing Route 50 from north to south, possibly with other individuals. Police say Barcase crossed the westbound lanes of Route 50 and reached a center median when he entered the first lane of eastbound Route 50, into the path of the oncoming Jeep driven by Rodriquez.
Preliminary witness information indicates the possibility that Barcase stumbled as he reached the median and may have fallen into the roadway, according to police.
Police say that upon contacting Rodriquez at the scene, troopers detected signs indicating he may have been driving under the influence of alcohol. Further investigation led to his arrest for driving under the influence, driving under the influence of alcohol per se, and driving while impaired.
He was processed and taken before a court commissioner for a bond hearing. He was held on a $5,000 bond.
The Maryland State Police CRASH Team responded to investigate the crash. Police say this team of advanced crash reconstructionists will be conducting a detailed crash investigation. Results of that investigation will be forwarded to the Worcester County State's Attorney's Office for review and consideration regarding additional charges in this fatal crash.
Barcase was a sophomore at Stephen Decatur High School, according to school officials there.
