UPDATE: (3:21 p.m.)— officials have filed a motion to inspect an SUV that crashed through its window, critically injuring one of its customers.
Kevin Mellett, 45, of Odenton on Aug. 18 after a black GMC Acadia crashed through Maritime's window, pinning him between an aluminum support bar and the car, said an eye witness.
"I was sitting there alongside the window, and it sounded like a bomb went off," the eyewitness told Patch on Aug. 18. "It threw glass back at least 15 feet across the room."
Hospital spokeswoman Cindy Rivers told Patch that Mellett is still listed in critical condition at the hospital more than two weeks after the accident. Rivers was unable to give additional details due to patient confidentiality laws.
The SUV was driven by Maritime employee Amare Asiradew, 24, but court documents show the Acadia belongs to Dianna and Jack Childress, of Annapolis. The car wash states in its petition that Dianna Childress drove the vehicle home after the accident, and she refused to let employees inspect the vehicle.
Baltimore-based attorney Imoh E. Akpan filed a motion on behalf of the car wash in Anne Arundel Circuit Court on Aug. 29 to "request to enter upon land and inspect vehicle and perpetuate other evidence in anticipation of litigation."
On Friday, Judge Alison Asti granted the motion, giving the Childresses five days to respond.
Patch is awaiting confirmation that Mellett is still recovering at Shock Trauma.
Don't try to use this tragedy to beat your drum. The kid had a learner's permit, probably made an error, and sadly, Kevin is the one suffering because of it. he is the most important thing in the whole matter.
jxrwild@aol.com Jack
I hate to hear this happened to him. It sure puts things in perspective, as a little over 3 years ago Maritime damaged the entire side of my car, in addition to another one of their customers cars that they hit while driving mine. I was left on the hook with incomplete repairs that they had Criswell Collison Center do. In short, neither Maritime or Criswell held up their end of responsibility. After going back multiple times with no positive results in sight, I relized it was not worth the stress and moved on with life. So in regards to perspective I am glad that no one was injured then, but am blown away that someone was injured this badly due to Maritime and their general way of business. Maritime should have learned from my incident as well as others they have had, to not to have employees that lack a drivers licensese driving clients cars. Overall you can replace things, but when it comes down to someones life or quality of life that's priceless. One would think it's essential for Maritime to have their drivers / employees be required to have a valid license to move the cars. Kevin, here's to a quick and full recovery!
I could not agree more! First and foremost, Kevin's health and recovery is the priority! As an ICU nurse myself, I recognize his recovery will be a long and challenging road...and we pray for his (Sheryl's and his family's) strength to get through this! Kevin has a huge automotive family/friend/customer base praying for him...everyday! Please, keep his BMW of Annapolis family/friends up-to-date on his recovery!
Although it's a long shot, they'll try to get GM -- and potentially the car's owners -- to kick in to the settlement if they can make any reasonable argument that the design/construction/condition of the car contributed to this accident. You gotta admit (assuming this fact is true) it seems suspicious to me that, following a near-fatal accident, the car's owners were insistent on immediately driving the damaged car home and refusing to let anyone look at it.
I guess the insurance company's house counsel figures it's better to turn the attention away from who was actually operating the vehicle...that may be a big can of worms for sure! It's sort of like blaming a handgun for a murder. Anyway, I think I'll pop some corn and get comfortable. This event should be entertaining,that's for sure.
Somethjing is fishy here...do the employees all have drivers licenses? What is the criteria for working there? Is a driving test administered? Who makes the determination the employees are fit to operate a motor vehicle? Does the management hire MVA inspectors to determine this? Following that logic, the government is always trying to take guns from law abiding citizens...what's next... cars?
Your legal ineptitude, engineering ignorance, and abscence of any analytical capabilities is staggering. I hope for your sake you are not attempting to use any skills in those areas to provide for yourself. Lastly, your attempt at wry humor with the netertainment comment s at the least insulting, at best it is reflective of a juvenile personality. Leave the comments to the adults and mentally competent, your silence will reward you! Kevin's Uncle Bill Hurley!