Baltimore Man Accepts Eight Year Plea Deal for 2023 Fatal Highway Collision

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A 29-year-old man accepted a plea offer after killing a Baltimore Convention Center security guard who was assisting a motorist with a broken-down car. The case was heard before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Kendra Y. Ausby on June 7.

Shakur Latrell Sanders was charged with involuntary manslaughter, criminally negligent manslaughter by vehicle, driving, while under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence while transporting a minor, driving while impaired by alcohol, driving a vehicle on highway at speed exceeding limit, unsafe lane changing, failure to control vehicle speed on highway to avoid collision, reckless driving and failure to drive right of center. 

While trying to help out on Aug. 13, 2023., Robert Horne turned on an amber light warning bar located on the rear window of his vehicle and walked behind his car to alert other drivers on I-395 of the hazard. 

The prosecution stated that Horne was thrown over the bridge and drowned after sustaining multiple broken bones after the collision.

The prosecution stated that Sanders was driving under the influence of alcohol, with a BAC of 0.25, which is three times the legal limit.

Sanders pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for the death of 50-year-old Good Samaritan.

For involuntary manslaughter, Sanders will serve 15 years, suspending all but the first eight years. He will also serve five years of probation and 50 hours of community service. Sanders will also go through alcohol screening and treatment.  

“Alcohol runs in his family. However, he did turn himself in, and he came into my office wanting to write a letter to the family,” defense attorney Mark Sobel said.

Sanders’ and Horne’s families attended Friday’s hearing trial to present impact statements to the judge. Tears filled the courtroom while Horne’s mother read her statement. The prosecution even shed tears while reading another impact statement from Horne’s family. 

“I’m in full agreement. I felt that this plea is good because it can give this man a fair chance, to get a second chance in life,” Horne’s mother said. 

“We are sorry and remorseful for the family of Mr. Horne,” Sanders’ father said. 

In Sanders’ statement, he expressed remorse and apologized to the victim’s family.