Breaking: Driver in Beltway Collision That Killed Six Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison

The driver who caused the deaths of six highway workers on I-695 in 2023 was sentenced to 30 years in prison Friday, bringing to an end the criminal chapter in what the judge called one of the most tragic and catastrophic traffic incidents in Baltimore County history.

"People need to get the message that they cannot drive recklessly on the roadways and not have consequences for their actions when their actions create dangerous and deadly situations," Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Dennis Robinson said before sentencing 58-year-old Lisa Lea of Randallstown. Robinson's sentence was more than the defense request of five years with all but two years suspected for each of the six charges of negligent manslaughter. The prosecution's sentencing recommendation was 60 years in prison with all but 24 years suspended.

Because her charges are statutorily considered non-violent, Lea will be eligible for parole after serving one-quarter of her sentence.

Lea was charged with negligent manslaughter and other offenses after her Acura TLX collided with another vehicle, went airborne, and landed upside down in a construction zone on the I-695 inner loop near I-70 on March 22, 2023.

Investigators said both her car and a Volkswagen Jetta driven by Malachi Brown were traveling more than 100 mph.

The traffic investigation concluded Lea attempted to switch lanes while traveling at least 120 mph when she clipped Brown's car, causing the crash. Prosecutors said Lea was under the influence of marijuana and had just come from a dispensary. Lea's defense attorney disputed that and said she was feeling unwell that day and was trying to get to an urgent care center.

The crash killed six workers: Sybil Lee DiMaggio, 46; Carlos Orlando Villatoro Escobar, 43; Jose Armando Escobar, 52; Rolando Ruiz, 46; Mahlon "M.J." Simmons III, 31; and Mahlon "Stick" Simmons II, 52.

Lea was also injured in the crash; Brown was not. Brown pleaded guilty in 2024 and received an 18-month sentence. Prosecutor Felice Kelly said Brown was never driving behind Lea and did not cause the crash.

Family members packed the courtroom, many wearing memorial t-shirts. Several spoke about how the loss has forever impacted their lives.

"This could have been your brother, your sister, your parent," said Wanda Greene, sister of "Stick" Simmons and aunt of "M.J." Simmons. "Everybody deserves the right to come home."

Alfred DiMaggio, father of Sybil DiMaggio, said in a written statement that every day, he says "hi" to his daughter's photo, and every day his greeting is met only with silence.

"People say time helps, but the hurt does not go away," wrote Alfred DiMaggio.

"She lives in our silence, our waiting, our memory and in the people who love her who must now learn how to live without her," Alfred DiMaggio wrote.

In court Friday, Lea addressed the families of those she killed.

"I'm truly sorry for my role in this tragic accident," she said through tears. "I take full responsibility for my actions that day and the decisions I made that day. I do not excuse them."

Lea told victims' family members that she did not seek sympathy.

"I'm so sorry that I hurt you and your family," Lea said. "If I was in your shoes I would want me punished too. I understand that I did a terrible thing and I am so sorry for that. And I know that it will never, ever, ever be right. And it won't ever be right for me either."

Several friends and family members told the judge Lea is a kind, loving woman who took in other's children and raised them as her own when they could not. They described her as a "giver" who always helped others and put herself last.

Judge Robinson said it was clear from Lea's life history, which includes trauma and health issues, and that she was not a bad person, noting her lack of a serious criminal history and her former work as a teacher and a nurse.

"I do not believe that Ms. Lea woke up that morning intending to cause this tragic event," Robinson said. "But this was not an accident. It was the result of extremely poor choices Ms. Lea made while driving on 695."