Austin Keith Seagraves : Anne Arundel Man Sentenced 7 Years Fatal Pedestrian Crash

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – A Glen Burnie resident has been handed a seven-year prison sentence for his involvement in a fatal pedestrian collision that claimed the life of a young woman and left her husband critically injured. The incident, which occurred on Aquahart Road, has led to a significant legal outcome, as announced by State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess.

Austin Keith Seagraves, aged 21, has been sentenced to a total of 25 years, with all but seven years suspended, and will also face five years of supervised probation upon release.

State’s Attorney Leitess expressed her condolences, stating, “Fidel and Arielle’s promising futures were tragically altered by this senseless act. The couple, who had recently married and were embarking on a new chapter, were struck down while innocently enjoying a walk together. The defendant’s reckless behaviour, including speeding in a 30 mph zone, fleeing the scene, and abandoning the victims, is deplorable. This sentence seeks to hold him accountable for his actions.”

The incident took place on August 24, 2022, just before 7 p.m., prompting the Anne Arundel County police to respond to a collision involving a Toyota Camry and two pedestrians on Aquahart Road and Oakwood Road in Glen Burnie. Witnesses reported that the driver of the Toyota had fled the scene, with photographic evidence capturing his attempt to escape. Two passengers from the vehicle also absconded but were later apprehended.

Upon arrival at the scene, emergency responders found the two pedestrians, identified as 23-year-old Fidel Angel Castro and 22-year-old Arielle Starr Dryden-Bera, in a nearby lot. Castro was rushed to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center with life-threatening injuries, while Dryden-Bera tragically succumbed to her injuries at the site. Investigations revealed that Seagraves, the driver of the Toyota, was travelling at speeds exceeding 50 mph in a 30-mph zone on Aquahart Road. In a desperate bid to avoid a curb, he veered onto a sidewalk, striking the couple. Following the collision, Seagraves attempted to conceal his identity by pulling his shirt over his head and fleeing the scene, failing to assist the victims. Additionally, passengers in the vehicle also fled without offering aid. Further inquiries confirmed that Seagraves, who did not possess a valid driver’s licence, was distracted while driving recklessly before the tragedy unfolded.

On May 19, 2023, Seagraves pleaded guilty to Negligent Manslaughter by Automobile, Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Death. The prosecution was led by Assistant State’s Attorney Carolynn Grammas on behalf of the residents of Anne Arundel County, with the Honorable Stacy McCormack presiding over the case.

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