BERLIN — One month after a fatal pedestrian collision on Grays Corner Road near Berlin claimed the life of a local teen, more questions than answers remain, but the victim’s family is hopeful for closure soon.
Around 10:45 p.m. on July 11, a black Mercedes driving eastbound on Grays Corner Road, a service road of sorts between Route 589 and Glen Riddle Lane that runs parallel to Route 50, struck Gavin Knupp, 14, of Ocean Pines, and left the scene. Knupp was reportedly a pedestrian on the roadway and was returning to a nearby vehicle when the collision took place. He was transported to Atlantic General Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The vehicle involved fled the scene and did not return. Local law enforcement conducted a search for the vehicle. Six days after the collision on July 17, the Mercedes identified as a possible link to the fatal hit-and-run collision was seized from a home in the Ocean Reef community near the airport off Route 611.
The vehicle, which had damage consistent with the collision investigation, was towed to the Maryland State Police Berlin barrack for further processing. In the month since the fatal collision, official details about a possible suspect or suspects have been scant as the investigation continues, but there has been no shortage of suspicion and innuendo in the local community that lost a popular rising freshman.
Knupp family attorney Neil Dubovsky said this week in a statement there have been no new details provided, and there is a growing sense of frustration in the case, but the family remains steadfast in patience and support for the investigation.
You mean to tell me they can’t find who did this? Is this Mayberry or what? There’s a cover up somewhere.
They know who did it. The person is not currently in the country. The police are dotting their I’s and crossing their T’s to make sure when charges are brought they stick. Without a witness putting him behind the wheel, there is reasonable doubt.
This points to two, possibly three things: local money, attorneys running interference, and thirdly, local politics. Some interested parties want this to disappear completely so as to: not disrupt the promising life of an upscale young person with no previous record, and protect the reputation of a local successful business owner or VIP.
I agree – clearly this was hushed up quickly. I can’t imagine the pain the family is experiencing.