Decatur student struck, killed; driver charged with DUI

(Jan. 1, 2010) Matthew Barcase, a 16- year-old sophomore at Stephen Decatur High School, lost his life when he was hit by a car on May 16.

The Ocean Pines resident and a group of friends were attempting to cross Route 50 from north to south just west of Hooper’s Crab House around 8 p.m.

According to the Maryland State Police, Barcase crossed the westbound lanes and made it to the median before he was struck by a vehicle traveling east toward Ocean City. Police believe Barcase might have stumbled or tripped into the path of the oncoming vehicle.

Barcase was taken to Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin where he was pronounced dead.

The driver of the vehicle that hit him, 29-year-old Luis Angel Rodriguez of Massapequa Park, N.Y., was not charged with causing Barcase’s death. But after he was questioned by police following the accident, he was charged with various drunken driving offenses.

Rodriguez was indicted by a Worcester County grand jury in October on drunken driving charges, and his trial is scheduled for Jan. 13, in Circuit Court.

LOOKING BACK …

z May 16: Matthew Barcase, 16, a Stephen Decatur student from Ocean Pines, is killed by a passing vehicle as he crosses Route 50 in West Ocean City with a group of friends. The driver, Luis Angel Rodriguez of Massapequa Park, N.Y., is arrested and charged with drunken driving.

z Oct. 1: Rodriguez is indicted by a Worcester County grand jury.

z Jan. 13, 2010: Scheduled trial date for Rodriguez in Circuit Court.