#News A 12-year-old boy will not be charged after driving a stolen car, running a red light, then hitting and k*lling a 69-year-old motorcyclist Barry Wright, because of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act passed by Democrats. The 15-year-old girl in the passenger seat was arrested and charged with motor vehicle theft. The boy behind the wheel was not criminally charged with anything. Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates said Maryland law leaves his office with nothing it can file against the driver for Wright’s death.
The crash happened September 30, 2026, in Baltimore, Maryland and a presser was held today, releasing information about the crime.
Wright, of Baltimore County, was on his motorcycle when the boy drove around a car stopped at the light and hit him.
A witness said,
“The teenagers decided to run a red light.”
She said she saw the rider flip in the air, then “these two cowards going to get out of the car and run.”
A neighbor said she watched him flip over and hit the ground, and said, “Take a man’s life because you wanted to joy ride.”
Wright was taken to a hospital in critical condition and died.
Video shows the female passenger getting out of the smoking car, then the male driver got out, and both started running as neighbors chased them.
Police said the 15-year-old girl was arrested, charged with motor vehicle theft, and held at the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center.
She was not charged in the death.
🔷️Because the driver was 12, police filed a Child in Need of Supervision referral and met with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. No arrest. No criminal charges.
🔷️Bates put the reason on the 2022 juvenile reform law, House Bill 459, passed by the Maryland General Assembly.
🔷️He said the law’s purpose was to narrow juvenile court jurisdiction and, in most cases, remove it for children under 13. Vehicular manslaughter is not listed as a “crime of violence” under Maryland law,
“Due to the age of the driver and thanks to the Maryland General Assembly, there is nothing that we can do to hold this young person accountable for the death of Mr. Wright.”
He called that “unbelievable” and said it “should be infuriating to all the residents across the state of Maryland.” He also said the boy already had contact with the juvenile system and was already under Department of Juvenile Services supervision, which makes the new referral look empty. “He’s already under the supervision of DJS, so what are we doing here?” Bates said he would look at whether the parents can be charged and added that the law may not allow that either.
Bates read a statement from Wright’s son. It said September 30 “shattered my world,” that the family lost its anchor after more than 45 years, and that “the boy who stole my father’s life” is “walking free, held harmless” by the reform law. The statement called it a system that “shields the perpetrators at the expense of the victims” and said lawmakers who voted for the bill should look the family in the eye and explain why Wright’s life did not matter. The Maryland General Assembly is run by Democrats, and it was run by Democrats when the law that blocks charges against this 12-year-old was passed.
🔷️Democrats hold both chambers by a veto-proof margin.
🔷️Senate:
➡️34 Democrats, 13 Republicans. President is Bill Ferguson, a Democrat.
🔷️House of Delegates:
➡️102 Democrats and 39 Republicans. Speaker is Joseline Peña-Melnyk, a Democrat.
🔷️Governor Wes Moore is also a Democrat
What do you think? Should the law be repealed and the 12-year-old be tried for his crime?
#ChristinaAguayoNews
