Ryan Nicholas Cherrico, 31, of Loveville
UPDATE 11/4/2021: According to court documents, Ryan Nicholas Cherrico, 31, of Loveville was the operator of the red Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck that fled the scene on foot prior to police arrival. Witnesses advised there was a single occupant of the truck, and the crash was captured on nearby video surveillance.
Evidence showed the pickup truck crossed the center line and struck the horse-drawn buggy almost head-on, and the pickup truck was the at-fault vehicle.
Police made contact with Cherrico at the Third Base store 23 minutes after the collision and documented their encounter with him, but did not have enough evidence to detain him further at that time.
Police noted a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath and he was noted as having slow, slurred, and deliberate speech leading police to believe he was impaired by alcohol. Cherrico has a history of DUI/DWI., and had a suspended Maryland drivers license at the time of the crash.
Cherrico also had injuries consistent with being involved in the crash, and provided a fictitious alibi to police that was later proved untrue by video, and witness statements.
Police also uncovered text messages between Ryan Cherrico, and his mother, Linda Dawn Cherrico, that stated Ryan was the operator of the vehicle and that he was aware the crash had killed Mr. Stauffer. The message had information that would have only been known to an individual driving the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Further, video showed Cherrico discarded some of his clothing while walking away from the scene of the crash so as not to match the description that was provided by witnesses at the scene to avoid identification, however, the subject that was fleeing the scene was wearing boots that were unique and matched those of Cherrico when he was located by police at the Third Base store.
The registered owner of the Chevrolet Silverado who was in Florida at the time of the crash, reported the vehicle stolen when she learned of its involvement in a fatal crash. She advised she left the vehicle at her brother’s residence, and that Cherrico also stays at her brother’s residence off and on. When She was told Ryan was operating the vehicle at the time of the crash, she said Ryan did not have her permission to be operating the vehicle at all.
The court documents went on to say Ryan Cherrico has a history of running and hiding from police to avoid apprehension, and that during the investigation, information was obtained that his family was attempting to send Ryan to Colorado to avoid apprehension.
Distance between Crash scene and where Cherrico was located 23 minutes later.
UPDATE 11/2/2021: Ryan Nicholas Cherrico, age 31 of Mechanicsville, has been located and arrested. Thank you to those in the community who provided information pertaining to this investigation.
Cherrico remains incarcerated at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown.
UPDATE 10/31/2021: The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the whereabouts of Ryan Nicholas Cherrico, age 31 of Mechanicsville.
The investigation determined the operator of the striking vehicle involved in the fatality to be Ryan Cherrico. Cherrico is a white male, 5’11” and weighs 175 pounds with green eyes and brown hair.
A warrant has been issued for Cherrico’s arrest for the following charges:
- Negligent Homicide by Vehicle Under the Influence
- Negligent Manslaughter by Vehicle
- Motor Vehicle Unlawful Taking
- Driving Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol
- Driving Vehicle While Impaired by Alcohol
- Driving Motor Vehicle on Highway on Suspended License and Privilege
- Failure to Immediately Return and Remain at Scene of Accident Involving Death
- Failure of Driver Involved in Accident to Render Reasonable Assistance to Injured Person
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ryan Nicholas Cherrico is asked to contact the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office at (301) 475-8008.
Citizens may remain anonymous and contact Crime Solvers at (301) 475-3333, or text a tip to “TIP239” plus their message to “CRIMES” (274637). Through the Crime Solvers Program tipsters are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in St. Mary’s County that leads to an arrest or indictment.
Ryan Nicholas Cherrico, 31, of Loveville.
UPDATE 10/28/2021: On Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 7:30 am, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies were dispatched to a serious motor vehicle collision near the intersection of Point Lookout Road and Loveville Road in Loveville.
Deputies arrived on the scene to find a crash between a horse-drawn buggy and a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.
The operator of the buggy was pronounced deceased on the scene and the operator of the pickup truck fled the area on foot. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene to continue the investigation.
Preliminary investigation determined the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado, operated by an unknown white male, was traveling southbound along Point Lookout Road from Loveville Road. The truck crossed the centerline and struck the horse-drawn buggy, operated by Henry Brubacher Stauffer, age 65 of Loveville. Stauffer was the sole occupant of the buggy and was ejected.
At this time, motor-vehicle driver error and alcohol and/or drugs are believed to be contributing factors in the crash.
Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or any events leading up to the collision is asked to call Corporal Jason Smith at 301-475-4200, ext. 72328 or by email at [email protected].
10/27/2021: On Wednesday, October 27, 2021, approximately 7:35 a.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to a motor vehicle accident on Point Lookout Road in the area south of Pin Cushion Road, in Loveville.
The accident involved a horse and buggy and a pickup truck.
An off duty firefighter and nurse were on scene before the arrival of emergency crews and found a male with serious injuries.
Officials arrived on scene and pronounced the operator of the buggy deceased at the scene.
The driver of the red pickup truck did not remain on the scene and it is unknow at this time if police have made contact with the driver who witnesses described as a white male in his 40’s of 50’s.
We will provide an update when it becomes available.
