The trial for 43-year-old Lamar Mills, began Sept. 23 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy.
Mills is accused of negligent vehicular manslaughter and criminal negligent manslaughter. The incident stemmed from the death of David Herman, 58 on July 4, 2025 on 4700 block of Garrison Boulevard.
According to court documents, on the day of the incident, Mills was reportedly driving a Jeep Wrangler some 20 miles-per-hour over the 25 miles-per-hour speed limit on Garrison Boulevard, a four-lane road. The victim, meanwhile, was on a bicycle on the shoulder when he moved into the main road. That’s when, according to the prosecution, Mills struck Herman with his vehicle. As a result of the impact, the victim was hurled ten feet in the air and thrown 27 feet down the road.
During opening statements, the prosecution argued that Mills was not only speeding but traveling nearly double the posted speed limit. Prosecutors acknowledged that Mills cooperated with police and remained at the scene until authorities arrived.
In her opening statement, defense attorney Marci Johnson argued the most important evidence is the surveillance footage of the incident. She argued even though Mills was speeding, there were vehicles parked in the bus and bicycle lane, and the victim looked toward traffic before merging into the roadway.
The state’s first witness was a nearby driver who saw the collision.
The witness said he saw a blue jeep wrangler “flying” down the street at an estimated 75-to-80 miles per hour as the victim merged into traffic but it was “too late for either of them to stop.” He identified Mills as the driver.
During cross-examination, Johnson questioned how the witness was able to estimate Mills’ speed. The witness reiterated that he saw the Jeep traveling at a high rate of speed before observing the victim enter the roadway. He also confirmed that the victim was not wearing a helmet.
The prosecution then called the lead patrol officer assigned to the case who confirmed he was first to arrive at the scene and remained there for approximately three hours. The officer’s body-worn camera footage was entered into evidence and shown to the jury. He identified Mills as the driver in question.
An analyst who retrieved the surveillance footage determined the driver’s minimum and maximum speed at the time of the crash. He concluded the victim was struck by the side of the jeep at 48 miles-per-hour
In cross-examination the expert explained since the airbag did not deploy, no vehicle data on the crash was collected. The expert could not recall the speed limit for the block, nor remembers seeing any signs. He did confirm Herman looked into traffic before merging, and was not wearing a helmet.
Trial is set to continue Sept. 23.
