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Columbia resident Rikelmy E. Beltran-Menjivar, 20, walked away uninjured from a crash that took the life of 68-year-old Karen Johnson Battle, also of Columbia, on Monday, June 12, and left two others hospitalized, according to the Howard County Police Department.
Beltran-Menjivar was reportedly driving a Ford F-250 south on Tamar Driver near Flicker Place in Columbia at approximately 7:30 on Monday when he lost control and crashed into a Hyundai Elantra and Honda Accord after crossing over the double yellow line.
Battle, who was driving the Hyundai, was rushed to Howard County General Hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
The driver of the Honda and passenger in the Ford were taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center for treatment and evaluation and were later released.
The investigation into the crash found that Beltran-Menjivar was allegedly under the influence, and he was arrested.
Charges include:
- Negligent auto homicide while under the influence;
- Homicide by motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol;
- Criminal negligence manslaughter by vehicle;
- Driving under the influence.
While police investigated the three-vehicle crash, Tamar Drive was closed for nearly three hours between Flicker Place and Phelps Luck Drive.
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