(Conowingo, MD) – Maryland State Police investigators are continuing their probe into an early morning incident in the parking lot next door to a Cecil County bar which left a local man dead.

The victim is identified as Harvey E. Charlton, 44, of the unit-block of McGlothlin Road, Conowingo, Maryland.  He was pronounced dead at the scene by a forensic examiner after being struck by a vehicle.  The victim’s body was taken to the Office of the State Medical Examiner in Baltimore for autopsy.   

Shortly before 2:00 a.m., several citizens called the Cecil County Fire Headquarters to report a man who had been struck by a vehicle in a parking lot next to a local bar.  Troopers from the North East Barrack and paramedics were notified and immediately responded to the scene.  Paramedics were unable to revive Charlton.       

According to witnesses at the scene, three men and three women were asked to leave Sweeney’s Bar/Pub after arguing with other patrons.  The bar is located in the 100-block of Conowingo Road.  The argument apparently continued as this group and others in the company of the victim were standing in a parking lot next to the bar. 

The six who were asked to leave the bar entered a light blue Mercury Sable four-door passenger vehicle, which was parked at an adjacent business.  As the two groups continued to argue, an acquaintance of the victim reportedly threw a beer bottle at the vehicle, shattering a window on the driver’s side.  The female driver of the vehicle drove from the parking lot and proceeded north on Conowingo Road (U.S. Route 1) towards Route 222.

Moments later, the vehicle was observed returning to the parking lot.  Witnesses advised that the driver accelerated, and drove directly towards the victim and others standing on the parking lot.  Charlton was unable to avoid being struck by the Mercury as the driver sped past, continuing to the rear of Stemple Brothers Bait Shop. The vehicle exited on the other side and continued across Conowingo Road, traveled through the parking lot of the Susquehanna Inn, before the driver proceeded north on Conowingo Road.

A witness was able to obtain a tag number displayed on the vehicle (Pennsylvania FTR-1592).  The vehicle is registered to Christina S. Slaub-Erb, 20, of the 3100-block of Main Street, Conestoga, Pa.  She is being sought in connection with the incident.  Investigators believe the vehicle sustained moderate damage to the front, hood and windshield areas.  A number of leads have been developed.  Specific details will not be released at this time.   

                The investigation is being conducted by members of the state police Homicide Unit and North East Barrack Criminal Investigation Section.  They were assisted at the scene by personnel from the Forensic Sciences Division, Crash Team, and Rising Sun P.D.  Pennsylvania State Police investigators are also assisting.