Churchville man pleads guilty to negligent homicide

A Churchville man pleaded guilty to one count of negligent homicide by motor vehicle Monday, adding closure to what officials say was a fatal accident caused by a man under the influence of alcohol and in the possession of marijuana.

Charles Robert Creaney, 23, will now serve 14 months in jail.

Charges against Creaney arose from a motor vehicle accident on December 4, 2011 at Route 23 and Harford Creamery Road. Donald Keith Van Gosen of Fawn Grove was traveling eastbound on Route 23 when Creaney's Nissan Xterra traveling westbound struck Van Gosen's Chevrolet Cavalier.

An investigation by the Maryland State Police CRASH team revealed that Creaney's vehicle was doing between 50-56 mph during heavy fog when it crossed the double yellow lines and hit Van Gosen.

Officials say Creaney's blood alcohol level was .17 three hours after the crash.

Assistant State's Attorney David Ryden asked the court to impose 18 months in the Harford County Detention Center despite no prior criminal history. Creaney was sentenced by Judge Maurice W. Baldwin to the maximum five years' incarceration with all but 14 months suspended.

Upon release Creaney will be on five years of supervised probation. He is also ordered to make $13,787 in restitution.