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Dean, Grayson Dennison, Sierra Merchant Killed In MD Crash

A Delaware man who allegedly was driving under the influence is facing criminal charges weeks after a wrong-way crash that claimed the lives of a young family from New York traveling from New York with their 1-year-old son in Maryland, state police announced.

Dean Dennison, Sierra Merchant, and Grayson Dennison

Dean Dennison, Sierra Merchant, and Grayson Dennison

Photo Credit: Sierra Merchant GoFundMe photo/GoFundMe photo

State Police investigators identified Dean Alexander Dennison, 21, Sierra Rain Merchant, 20, and 1-year-old Grayson Dennison as the three people killed in a crash early on Sunday, May 19 on US Route 13. 

According to investigators, shortly before 2:50 a.m. on May 19, troopers were called to investigate a head-on crash that was reported in Wicomico County south of St. Luke's Road involving the family and a Delaware man.

The preliminary investigation determined that Jay Richard Bynum, 59, of Seaford, Delaware, was driving north in the southbound lanes of Route 13 when he crashed into a 2016 Subaru Impreza being driven by the Dennison-Merchant family.

Both parents were pronounced dead at the scene, and the infant was airlifted to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Hospital, where the boy later died, police say.

Bynum was also flown to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore for treatment of his injuries.

On Monday, June 10, Maryland State Police investigators announced that Bynum has been charged with:

  • Three counts of criminal negligent manslaughter by vehicle;
  • Three counts of negligent auto homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence;
  • Three counts of homicide by motor vehicle while impaired;
  • Driving under the influence;
  • Driving while intoxicated.

He is being held without bail. The incident remains under investigation by Maryland State Police.

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