Seaford man sentenced in crash that killed young family of three

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – A Seaford man learned his fate after being convicted of vehicular manslaughter and homicide by vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. 61-year-old Jay Richard Bynum of Seaford will serve 30 years in prison. He was convicted on June 18th after a three-day jury trial.

On May 19th, 2024, around 3:00 a.m., a Somerset County Sheriff’s Deputy came upon a head-on crash on Route 13, just south of Lukes Road in Wicomico County. Investigators say Bynum drove his vehicle into oncoming traffic for about six miles, killing a young family of three from upstate New York.

The victims were identified as 20-year-old Dean Alexander Dennison, 19-year-old Sierra Rain Merchant, and 1-year-old Grayson Dennison. When Bynum’s blood was tested, investigators say it was one-and-a-half times over the legal limit for alcohol.

Wicomico County State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes condemned Bynum’s actions, writing in a statement, in part, “This tragedy was entirely avoidable. Bynum’s decision to drive impaired has cost so many so much. The Court’s sentence, the maximum permitted by the relevant criminal statutes, is all the solace the criminal justice system can provide.”