Teen Driver's Failure to Yield Kills Motorist in Vintage VW Van

DUNKIRK (March 23, 2009) --- Yet another reason to restrict reckless teenage drivers appeared in Calvert County this past week when a teenager failed to yield and killed another motorist.

Police report that on Friday March 20 at 5:39 p.m. members of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team responded to the intersection of Md. Rt. 260 and Jewell Road in Dunkirk for the report of a motor vehicle crash.  

 A preliminary investigation revealed that a blue 1969 Volkswagen van being driven westbound on Md. Rt. 260 by Seth Louis Dazzo, 30 of Sykesville,  struck a red 1999 Mercury Villager. 

The Mercury, driven by a 17-year-old male from Dunkirk, was making a left turn onto eastbound Md. Rt. 260 from Jewell Road and failed to yield the right of way to Mr. Dazzo’s vehicle.  The driver was operating on a Maryland Learner’s Permit and was accompanied in the car by his mother as well as two siblings.  Mr. Dazzo was transported to Calvert Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to injuries received in the crash and was pronounced dead. 

The juvenile male driver of the Mercury was transported to P.G. Shock Trauma Center with injuries and is in stable condition.  The mother, Deanna R. Brooke, 37 of Dunkirk, and two juvenile passengers were transported to Calvert Memorial Hospital with minor injuries. 

The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team is conducting a complete investigation into the events that lead up to the crash.  Any additional information regarding this should be brought to the attention of Cpl. Vladimir Bortchevsky at bortchvi@co.cal.md.us or 410-535-2800.