Man Gets 4 Years for Striking, Killing Church Usher

Accident prompted installation of pedestrian crossing signal

A Maryland man who pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol in the death of a pedestrian has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Thirty-two-year-old Joel Bromwell of Annapolis was sentenced Friday in Superior Court in Washington in the death of 71-year-old Ruby L. Whitfield.

According to government evidence, on March 21, Whitfield was crossing Florida Avenue NE in a crosswalk when Bromwell hit her and did not stop, dragging her body about 86 feet. Prosecutors say Bromwell drove off after being confronted by a witness, and was arrested a short time later.

Whitfield was an usher at a local church.

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