In Anne Arundel County, a tragic car accident in February 2024 has led to a Severna Park man, William John Sternhagen, pleading guilty to negligent manslaughter and reckless driving. As reported by the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office, Sternhagen was sentenced to 10 years with all but 18 months suspended, following a guilty plea for the crash that claimed the life of 38-year-old Joseph Richard Muniz.
Details of the incident, provided by county police, indicate that on February 7, 2024, Sternhagen was driving his 2020 Tesla Model X at a speed of 90 MPH in a 40 MPH zone when he collided with Muniz’s 2015 Dodge Dart as it was making a left turn. The excessive speed and aggressive driving proved fatal for Muniz, a York, PA resident who was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation, led by Cpl. Charles Dalton included witness accounts of Sternhagen's dangerous driving maneuvers before the crash.
During the court proceedings, Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess stressed the gravity of the defendant's actions. "The excessive speed and aggressive driving demonstrates the defendant’s complete disregard for the safety of other drivers on the road, many who were on their way to work that morning," Leitess remarked, per the county's press release. Muniz, a military veteran, husband, and father of three, was also a youth football coach in York Township, PA. Leitess added, "I hope that this sentence provides some solace to his family and friends in this difficult time."
