Distracted Driving Maryland Man Convicted in Fatal Crash with School Bus

July 1, 2026

A Maryland man has been convicted of criminally negligent manslaughter in a 2024 distracted driving crash that forced a teenager’s vehicle into the path of a school bus, killing one and injuring another, reported CBS News.

John Anthony Gaeta, 40, was found guilty following a trial in Harford County Circuit Court. Prosecutors said via the article that evidence showed Gaeta was distracted and failed to take any action to avoid the Sept. 18, 2024, collision that led to the death of 16-year-old Blake Elliot.

According to the news report, 17-year-old Zachary Griffin had stopped on northbound Route 543 to make a left turn onto Crescent Knoll Drive, when Gaeta’s vehicle struck the rear of Griffin’s car. The impact forced Griffin’s vehicle into the southbound lanes, where it was struck by an oncoming school bus.

Griffin reportedly suffered life-threatening injuries and was flown to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where he spent 11 days recovering. Elliot, who was riding in the passenger seat, was transported by ambulance to University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health but died shortly after arriving.

Investigators with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Crash Team determined that Gaeta never applied his brakes before the collision. A forensic examination of his vehicle’s airbag control module reportedly showed that during the five seconds before impact, he neither braked nor attempted to steer away.

Prosecutors said via the report that the data indicated Gaeta traveled approximately 371 feet while slowing only from 53 mph to 47 mph. Investigators also found his cellphone was unlocked and illuminated at the time of the crash. According to evidence presented at trial, Gaeta had been using several mobile applications, including Her A.I., Instagram and Chess.com, during his drive until about 38 seconds before the collision.

“Distracted driving, especially with the continuing evolution of technology in our society, is incredibly dangerous,” Harford County State’s Attorney Alison Healey said via the news report. “When the evidence of an investigation of a collision demonstrates the significant amount of negligence and distraction in which this Defendant engaged and a life is taken, those offenders will be held accountable in Harford County because that is a choice to put our community at risk, and it will not be tolerated.”

Healey also called for tougher penalties in distracted driving cases resulting in death, saying current Maryland law does not provide sufficient sanctions or adequately distinguish felony and misdemeanor offenses.

Gaeta faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 17.

Written with the assistance of AI.