Former EMT gets 6 years in prison for woman’s death

Butler slammed into car with his truck at 70 mph

Daniel Juwan Butler, 23, of Newburg was sentenced to six years in prison and five years supervised probation on Tuesday as punishment for the December 2017 vehicular slaying of 21-year-old Taylor Anne Halbleib.

Butler, a former volunteer EMT and firefighter, previously entered a guilty plea to the negligent

vehicular manslaughter of Halbleib on Aug. 30.

At the sentencing presided over by Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier, the courtroom was filled to capacity with Halbleib’s friends and family who were wearing blue “Taylor’s Trot” T-shirts, representing a fundraiser through the Humane Society of Charles County that was established in her memory.

With more than 100 people in attendance at the sentencing, the courthouse opened an overflow room for supporters of Halbleib and Butler to listen to the audio of the sentencing.

Early in the morning of Dec. 7, 2017, troopers with the the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack responded to the area of Route 6 in La Plata, west of Cooksey Road, for the report of a multi-vehicle collision. When troopers arrived, Butler and a passenger were both conscious and emitting a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. Troopers also discovered Halbleib, who was unresponsive, trapped in her vehicle that had extensive damage on both sides, with the vehicle’s rear being pushed into the rear passenger compartment. After being treated on the scene, Butler and Halbleib were transported to the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center for treatment, where Halbleib succumbed to her injuries. Butler survived his injuries. The passenger of Butler’s vehicle was transported to Prince George’s Hospital Center by helicopter and also survived his injuries.

Investigation revealed Halbleib, a student at the College of Southern Maryland, had left work prior to the collision and was operating a Hyundai Elantra traveling east on Route 6. Halbleib’s vehicle came to a complete stop at a red light. There was one vehicle, a Honda Odyssey, ahead of Halbleib that was at a complete stop at the red light as well. Butler, driving a Ford F-150, was also traveling east and failed to slow down and stop for the red light, slamming into Halbleib’s vehicle at almost 70 miles per hour. The impact of the collision forced Halbleib’s vehicle into the Honda Odyssey in front of her. Halbleib’s vehicle began to spin, eventually settling on the eastbound shoulder. Butler’s vehicle veered off the roadway into the woods. The driver of the Honda Odyssey was uninjured and left the scene of the accident with her vehicle, but later returned. Halbleib suffered extensive injuries, including a broken neck, broken back and crushed organs.

Further investigation revealed that Butler and his passenger had been drinking heavily throughout the night at The Green Turtle in La Plata. The two men then purchased and consumed more beer at a bar/liquor store in La Plata where Halbleib worked.

After closing, Butler and his passenger continued drinking outside of the bar. When Halbleib left work for the evening, Butler harassed her before she left in her vehicle. Butler then followed in his pickup truck until he rammed into the back of her vehicle. Multiple open cans of beer and liquor were located inside of Butler’s vehicle at the scene.

A blood test was conducted on Butler, which revealed a .20 blood alcohol level — two and a half times the legal limit.

When given the opportunity to speak at the sentencing hearing, Butler told the judge and attendees in the gallery, “If I could go back in time and change everything, I would. I think about it all the time. I know that my ‘sorry’ doesn’t mean much and I understand. I cannot understand what type of pain this family is going through. I wish it was me instead of her. It hurts me to see the family cannot see or understand how sorry I am. I wish I

would have went straight home from work that day.”

Halbleib’s mother, father and best friend spoke on behalf of the victim, expressing to the judge how a maximum sentence of 10 years — in keeping with Maryland’s vehicular manslaughter law — would be appropriate for the crime Butler committed. Pointing out that Butler was an EMT and volunteer firefighter, the family and supporters firmly believed the maximum penalty should be served.

Butler’s supporters included his mother, father, brother, many written letters of support as well as testimony from Andrew Spalding, the president of the Southern Maryland Firemen’s Association, who spoke on behalf of himself and not the association. Butler’s supporters pushed for the judge to give Butler a smaller sentence or allow him to talk to youth about the importance of not drinking and driving.

“Going to jail long-term will not fix the situation,” said Lamont Butler, his brother. “But just know that Daniel has good character.”

During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Francis Granados, the lead prosecutor on the case, told the judge, “The justice system does not treat fatal collisions serious enough. And nothing can be more serious than this case. What is a more violent way to die than being crushed by a truck that’s going 70 miles per hour? How terrifying must it have been for Taylor to see her killer coming and not be able to do anything about it. This case is so egregious that the defendant deserves the maximum sentence of 10 years. Mercy is for those who make mistakes, not for those who willfully do wrong. This was anything but a mistake. He chose to do it. Again, he deserves the maximum sentence this court can give. If the sentence you impose can save one life and save another family from the horror and pain that Taylor’s family has endured and will endure for a lifetime, wouldn’t it be worth it? The community is waiting. Please do the right thing.”

Before imposing her sentence on Butler, Bragunier said, “On the night Taylor was killed, you were anything but a nice person. The last 20 minutes of [the victim’s] life were pure terror. You knew better and should’ve known better seeing as though you were an EMT and volunteer firefighter.”

While completing his sentencing, Bragunier told Butler he will need to address all Charles County high schools and the College of Southern Maryland about the consequences of choosing to drink and drive.