Salisbury man’s death leads to vehicular homicide charges

Brent Taylor of Eden, Md. has been charged with vehicular homicide.  Prosecutors say Taylor was behind the wheel of a pickup truck that struck and killed Rob Schultheis, of Salisbury, who was jogging along Meadow Bridge road. 

Now, nearly 6 months later, a Grand Jury has decided that blood tests revealed enough evidence to prosecute.  Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matthew Maciarello spoke with 47ABC on why the process took so long, saying “it just takes a matter of time for the thorough analysis of the testing to make sure that you know its validated there – then its sent to law enforcement – then it’s presented to the state’s attorney’s office – and we in turn present the entire case to the Wicomico County Grand Jury”.

According to court documents, methadone and morphine were in Taylor’s system when blood was drawn after the crash.  In a statement to 47ABC Taylor’s family says:

“A terrible tragedy has turned our lives upside down. The Schultheis and Taylor families have suffered so much, we only ask that all judgement be reserved until the case is resolved. Our hearts hurt for everyone. Brent Taylor is a good man who, being the model of recovery this county so much desires, should not be punished for merely taking his prescribed medications. It’s an insult to make a terminal cancer patient await his trial in jail. We only hope he receives the care he needs.”

The family did not say what medications Taylor had been prescribed, but according to court documents, Taylor told deputies he took methadone due to a heroin addiction, and that he also took an antibiotic, but the documents do not mention morphine. 

Maciarello says it’s a matter of justice for Schultheis and his family, adding: “we can never bring him back, we can never make the family or the community whole, but certainly we can achieve a measure of justice and that’s what we will intend to do in this case.”

Suzanne Elrick, a close friend of Schultheis, says she accepts the court case as a part of the process. ” I don’t think any of us are over this for quite a long time, obviously this court case is going to drag out – and I don’t think anyone finds happiness in it – I don’t.”  Elrick says since her friend’s death, she and her family have been living by the slogan “Live Life Like Rob”, who is clearly missed.  Elrick went on to say “Rob’s already missed his son’s birthday – he’s already missed his wife’s birthday – I was with his family at Christmas he’s already missed all of that – so again its not to point blame – but those five months – one person’s enjoyed them and another hasn’t, and not only has he not enjoyed it but all the people around him have been heartbroken.”

Elrick, whose husband spoke at Schultheis’ funeral, says she isn’t blaming anyone, but is heartbroken that Taylor got behind the wheel that night.  She says “quite honestly if anything we all wish we weren’t sitting here – that’s what we really wish”, and she adds that she hopes people learn form this, and hope someone’s life may even be saved by Rob’s story.

Elrick asks the community to keep the Schultheis family in their thoughts and prayers, and asks everyone to “Live Life Like Rob.