Salisbury Mayor Goes to Court for Striking Pedestrian

SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury Mayor Randy Taylor had a court hearing at the Wicomico County District Court on Wednesday in relation to a traffic accident involving a pedestrian that took place in August, earlier this year.

Judge David B. Martz presided over the hearing, and cited Taylor a $500 fine in addition to probation before judgement.

On the morning of Aug. 4, Taylor was driving on South Boulevard, approaching a red light at the intersection at U.S. Route 13. Taylor failed to stop and entered the marked crosswalk, striking a pedestrian. The pedestrian, an older man named David Boser, was using a walker at the time of the accident and suffered minor injuries. The walker was damaged during the collision, and later replaced by the Salisbury Lions Club.

Boser, originally of Finger Lakes, New York, has been homeless for upwards of ten years. He currently resides in Fruitland. Boser is battling colorectal cancer, and says he was on his way home from radiation therapy when the accident happened. He has since completed radiation treatment and is now undergoing chemotherapy.

“Things happen in life. It’s over. I’ve got to focus on surviving,” said Boser, expressing that he cared little for the outcome of the trial. He repeatedly expressed his physical discomfort in waiting for the trial to begin, and had made it evident that he had no interest in pursuing charges. He also made no official statement in court. 

Mayor Taylor entered the courtroom at approximately 4:19 p.m., and court was called to session shortly after. The State requested probation before judgement in this case.

Mayor Taylor pled guilty to failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. In court, he described the accident, stating, “I didn’t realize what had happened until I pulled back around, I didn’t even see him in my peripheral. I am guilty in that regard, and I need to be more careful in the future.” Taylor also noted that he and Boser were on good terms following the accident.

In a statement after the hearing, Taylor told WMDT, “It’s an unfortunate circumstance. I’m glad he wasn’t hurt. You know, we did what we could to make it right, so we’re gonna move on from there.”

Both Taylor and Boser declined requests for interviews on camera.