Towson Student Gets 18 Months Home Detention for Fatal Red-Light Crash That Killed Man, Dog

A Towson University student who struck and killed a 32-year-old man and his dog after running a red light near campus has been sentenced to 18 months of home detention and ordered to perform community service warning other students about the dangers of distracted driving.

Jordan Sachs was walking his dog and had waited for the pedestrian signal before crossing Towsontown Boulevard at Emerson Drive on Nov. 12, 2025, when Oluwajomiloju “J.J.” Sekiteri, 21, ran the red light and struck the pair as they stepped off the curb and into the crosswalk.

Sekiteri was on her way to a hair appointment in preparation for her upcoming 21st birthday. She admitted at trial that she was trying to beat the yellow light.

Judge Ralph Sapia found Sekiteri guilty of criminally negligent vehicular manslaughter following a bench trial in June. He acquitted her of the more serious felony charge of grossly negligent vehicular manslaughter, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Sekiteri was also found guilty of multiple traffic offenses, including negligent driving endangering life, speeding, failing to stop for a traffic signal and failing to control her speed to avoid a collision.

On Monday, Sachs’ mother, Luisa Renzi, told the judge of the enormous grief she endures from the loss of her only child.

“Being his mom was the greatest privilege of my life,” she said. “And his death has left a hole in me that words can’t fully describe.”

Her son was a “Renaissance man,” she said — a pharmacist and talented musician with many interests, including cooking, sports and collecting Pokémon cards. He was engaged, and he and his fiancée doted on their mini Australian shepherd, Archie.

Renzi spoke of the pain of knowing she will never experience a mother-and-son dance at his wedding, watch him move into his first house, hear his voice on another Mother’s Day or become a grandmother. She said she sees his peers reaching life's milestone with mixed emotions, happiness for them and sadness for her herself.

“I feel like I'm the outside looking in, like I've been robbed of all of that,” she said.

Assistant State’s Attorney Felise Kelly asked Sapia to require Sekiteri to serve 18 months in the Baltimore County Detention Center, arguing that the sentence should send a message to other drivers.

“It is shocking, startling and disturbing the number of people who want to beat the light,” she said. “It is a common practice in the area and it has to stop because, otherwise, there will be many more people like Jordan and Archie. There are far too many now.”

Several character witnesses spoke on behalf of Sekiteri, who is a Navy reservist and a senior at Towson University studying information technology. They described her as responsible, hardworking and honest.

Her attorney, Lee Eidelberg, said Sekiteri has no criminal history or previous driving infractions.

He said she has not attempted to distance herself from the emotional consequences of what occurred, seeking therapy within days of the crash and continuing to participate in counseling.

“She recognizes that accountability and personal growth require more than simply completing the legal process,” he said. “She has confronted the emotional consequences of this tragedy rather than avoiding them.”

Sekiteri said she thinks daily about the consequences of her actions and the impact they have had on Sachs’ family.

“I know I can never undo what happened, but I hope that throughout my life I can make choices that reflect the seriousness of what happened and the value of the lives that have been lost,” she said.

Sapia sentenced Sekiteri to three years in prison and suspended all but 18 months, allowing her to serve that time on home detention rather than in jail. She was also placed on probation.

Sekiteri will be allowed to leave her Owings Mills home only to attend school, go to work or fulfill duties required of her as a Navy reservist. She will not be allowed to drive for three years.

“I hope that when they put that [GPS] bracelet on her and people ask, that she tells them, ‘This is what happens when you don’t pay attention,’” Sapia said.

The judge also ordered Sekiteri to perform 170 hours of community service, divided between assisting at the Baltimore Humane Society and speaking about dangerous driving to students at Baltimore County public schools and Towson University.

Sapia singled out Towson students when explaining why he wanted Sekiteri to speak on campus, saying, “because I think they’re some of the worst offenders.”

Sekiteri must also pay $3,734.50 in restitution.

Editor’s note: Reporting for this story was based on audio transcripts of Monday's court hearing.