Speed Kills Motorcyclist on Sunday Drive

PORT REPUBLIC, MD. — A motorcyclist who had been reported to be operating in a reckless manner spun out of control and died near Port Republic, reports Calvert Sheriff Mike Evans.

The Sheriff reports that on June 21, 2015 at approximately 5:55 p.m. Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police personnel responded to the area of Grays Rd. and Glenmont Ct., in Port Republic in reference to a motor vehicle crash involving a single motorcycle with a single occupant. 

The Sheriff reports that his department’s preliminary investigation revealed a black male, later identified as Brian Butler Johnson, 37, of Baltimore, was operating a copper colored 2004 Suzuki GSXR 1000 west on Grays Rd in the area of Glenmont Ct. when the motorcycle crossed the centerline and continued off the left side of the roadway.

Investigation further revealed that upon leaving the roadway, the motorcycle laid down and skidded out of control where the operator, Johnson was ejected.  Due to the severity of Johnson’s injuries, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team was notified to respond and assume the investigation.  Johnson was transported to Calvert Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

    Cpl. Moschetto and DFC. Fox responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.  Based on the roadway evidence and the damage to the motorcycle, speed was determined to be a factor in the crash. 

The Sheriff noted that the speed limit on Grays Rd is 40 mph in the area of the crash.

    At 5:46 pm, the Calvert Control Center received a traffic complaint, from a concerned citizen, for a “Reckless Operator” on a copper colored motorcycle bearing the same tag number that was on the motorcycle Johnson was operating.  The Traffic complaint was reported to be in the area of Broomes Island Rd and Grays Rd.

    Witnesses on the scene reported that the motorcycle was observed several minutes prior to the crash operating at a high rate of speed in a reckless manner in the area of Broomes Island and Grays Rd.

    Anyone who may have witnessed this crash or the events leading up to it is asked to contact DFC. Fox of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office at 410-535-2800.

Johnson’s driving record includes arrests for driving while suspended in several Maryland counties but does not reveal any instances of having been ticketed for speeding. Johnson was fined $500 for driving while suspended in Anne Arundel County on April 28, 2008 but court records do not reflect the reason his license was suspended. $357.50 of his fine was suspended in a plea deal with the Anne Arundel County States Attorney. His offence was marked Probation Before Judgment.