Driver charged after running over woman in Amazon delivery van
- A woman was run over by an Amazon delivery van in Baltimore while crossing the street.
- The driver turned himself in days later and was initially charged with serious offenses but later faced reduced charges.
- The incident calls attention to the need for better traffic safety laws and legal accountability.
In Baltimore, on February 18, 2025, a hit-and-run incident involving an Amazon delivery van left a woman seriously injured. The victim, 29-year-old Chelsey Douglas, was crossing the street in the Butchers Hill neighborhood when Jerome Allan Young Jr., the 26-year-old driver, allegedly ran over her. The collision was captured on camera, showing that Douglas was in the crosswalk at the time. Witness accounts indicated that Young did not stop immediately but instead got out of the van after driving over her and initially asked, 'How did you manage to get hit?' before fleeing the scene. Douglas was taken to a hospital and was released after treatment for serious injuries, including fractures, leaving her fiancée, Rene Cardona, relieved that her injuries were not worse. Following the incident, Young turned himself in to the police several days later. Initially, he faced serious charges including negligent and reckless driving; however, upon review, he was released on bail with reduced charges now limited to several traffic citations. This change has sparked concerns regarding the adequacy of the legal response to such serious allegations. The prosecutors and authorities acknowledged that the charges were overly severe at first and indicated that the case might be reassessed. The importance of legislative reforms in handling traffic-related offenses was highlighted by State's Attorney Bates, who emphasized the need for trained legal professionals to review such cases properly. Meanwhile, Amazon confirmed that Young was no longer delivering for them following the incident. Community members expressed their frustrations regarding traffic safety in the area, calling attention to drivers' behaviors at intersections. Additionally, online fundraising efforts were launched to support Douglas with her medical expenses, as she had started a new job just days before the accident and did not have health insurance at the time. As the legal proceedings continue, local residents and advocates await further developments in the case and are pushing for stricter measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.