Seaford Man Sentenced to Maximum Prison Term for Fatal Accident in Wicomico County

Wicomico County, MD - On August 14, 2025, the Circuit Court of Wicomico County sentenced Jay Richard Bynum, a 61-year-old resident of Seaford, Delaware, to 30 years of incarceration in the Division of Corrections. The sentence, imposed by Associate Judge Matthew A. Maciarello, is the maximum allowed under Maryland law. Bynum was convicted on June 18, 2025, following a three-day jury trial.

He was found guilty of multiple charges, including three counts of Grossly Negligent Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle, three counts of Criminally Negligent Manslaughter by Vehicle, three counts of Homicide by Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol, and additional related charges.

The charges stemmed from a tragic incident that occurred on May 19, 2024, just before 3:00 a.m. A Somerset County Sheriff's Deputy discovered a head-on collision on U.S. Route 13, south of St. Lukes Road in Wicomico County, Maryland.

Investigations revealed that Bynum had driven his Dodge Durango northbound for approximately 5.8 miles in the southbound lanes of U.S. Route 13 before colliding with a Subaru Impreza. The crash killed three members of a family from upstate New York, including 20-year-old Dean Alexander Dennison, 19-year-old Sierra Rain Merchant, and their 1-year-old son, Grayson Dennison.

Bynum's blood alcohol content was determined to be over one and a half times the legal driving limit at the time of the crash.

Wicomico County State's Attorney Jamie Dykes commented on the case, stating, "The devastation inflicted upon the victims and their families, witnesses and passersby, the first responder community, and all those connected to 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. We hope this provides some measure of justice for the victims' families, even though it will not console their indescribable grief."

State's Attorney Dykes acknowledged the contributions of multiple agencies involved in the investigation and response, including Maryland State Police Troopers TFC P. Eckrich, TFC D. Hopkins, and Sgt. C. Gore. Local fire departments, specifically the Fruitland Volunteer Fire Company, Salisbury Fire Department, and the Allen Volunteer Fire Department, were also commended for their efforts, as was Cpl. K. Corbin of the Somerset County Sheriff's Office.

Senior Assistant State's Attorney Lauren Bourdon and Assistant State's Attorney Jeffrey Hysan, Jr. were recognized for their dedication to prosecuting the case.

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