After a short argument, outside of Richarts’ vehicle, Coursey doused himself with fuel and lit himself on fire. Coursey quickly returned to his vehicle and left the area.
Road Rage Directed at Girlfriend Inspired Deny Coursey to Make Self a Ring of Fire
CENTREVILLE, MD. — Will the love linger after the fire goes out? A Queen Anne’s County man might question his decision to set himself ablaze after a domestic road rage incident.
On Sept. 18, 2017, at approximately 1:24 p.m., the Maryland State Police Centreville Barrack responded to a reported car fire in the area of John Brown Road at Maryland Route 213 in Queen Anne’s County Maryland.
While in route, numerous witnesses called and advised a male subject lit himself on fire at the scene
While in route, numerous witnesses called and advised a male subject lit himself on fire at the scene. The incident involved Jamie Lee Richarts, 35, and Deny Richard Coursey, 42, both of Centreville. Initial contact was made with Richarts. Richarts stated that Coursey, her boyfriend, pulled his vehicle in front of her vehicle causing Richarts to stop her vehicle.
It is believed this incident is ongoing from a domestic incident the couple was engaged in the prior evening, which was handled by the Queen Anne’s Sheriff’s Office. When the vehicles were stopped, Coursey exited his vehicle and approached Richarts’ vehicle with a fuel can in his hand.
After a short argument, outside of Richarts’ vehicle, Coursey doused himself with fuel and lit himself on fire. Coursey quickly returned to his vehicle and left the area. Coursey was located as he walked into Easton Memorial Hospital with numerous burns. An emergency petition for an evaluation was filed on Coursey and the investigation continues. Coursey will be transferred to a burn center for treatment of his injuries.
Coursey, of 205 Elm Street, Centreville, Md., was stopped by Maryland State Trooper Megan A. Heun on Sept. 15, 2017, at 12:26 am on Rt. 18 at Chester River Beach Road and charged with operating a 2003 Dodge truck while his license was suspended. Similar violations were included in citations issued by other troopers and a Queen Anne’s Deputy on Aug. 24, 2017, July 12, 2017, June 30, 2017, Aug. 31, 2016, June 24, 2016, as well as numerous speeding violations. Some charges have been dropped while others were citations that did not require a personal appearance and were prepaid before trial.
Charged by the Queen Anne’s County States Attorney on Dec. 19, 2003, with drug dealing and possession, Coursey struck a plea deal on Feb. 27, 2004, with the prosecutor and entered a guilty plea to possession of drugs other than marijuana. THE DEAL: a sentence of four years in prison with two years suspended and the drug distribution charge was dropped.
A guilty plea to theft on June 2, 2004, in Queen Anne’s District Court, landed Coursey in jail for three years with a requirement for substance abuse treatment.
- After a short argument, outside of Richarts’ vehicle, Coursey doused himself with fuel and lit himself on fire. Coursey quickly returned to his vehicle and left the area.
