Baltimore County, Maryland – Outrage is mounting once again for the family of a construction worker killed in the 2023 I-695 Baltimore Beltway crash after one of the convicted drivers was recently cited for driving without a valid license. The new traffic stop has reignited grief and frustration among victims’ relatives who believed he was permanently barred from getting behind the wheel.
Melachi Brown, who pleaded guilty to negligent manslaughter in connection with the March 2023 work zone crash that killed six construction workers, was pulled over in Baltimore County in the early morning hours of December 9. According to charging documents, an officer stopped Brown near Liberty and Rolling roads around 2:20 a.m. after noticing the vehicle’s taillights were not functioning.
When asked for his driver’s license, Brown reportedly told the officer he did not have one. Court records indicate his license had been revoked as part of his punishment stemming from the deadly crash. Brown allegedly told police he was driving a friend from the hospital to a nearby restaurant. He provided an MVA identification card and was positively identified. A passenger reportedly stated the car had recently been in an accident that may have damaged the lights.
The stop has devastated the family of Sybil DiMaggio, one of the six workers killed in the crash. Her brother, Jim DiMaggio, said he was furious upon learning Brown had been behind the wheel again. He said prosecutors had previously indicated Brown would not be allowed to drive again. For DiMaggio, the latest incident feels like a failure of accountability.
Brown was originally sentenced to 60 years in prison, though all but 18 months were suspended. In June 2024, he successfully petitioned a judge to serve the remainder of his sentence on home detention. During that hearing, Brown cited depression, anxiety, and concerns for his safety while incarcerated. The Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office opposed the request, but the court granted it.
Prosecutors previously stated Brown was driving 111 miles per hour when his vehicle struck another car driven by Lisa Lea, triggering the chain of events that led to the workers’ deaths. The crash killed Sybil DiMaggio, 46; Rolando Ruiz, 46; Carlos Orlando Villatoro Escobar, 43; Jose Armando Escobar, 52; Mahlon Simmons III, 30; and Mahlon Simmons II, 52.
Family members have repeatedly spoken about the lasting emotional toll. Sybil DiMaggio’s children previously described how their mother feared working at that particular site because of constant traffic movement in and out of the construction zone. They said their lives were forever changed in an instant.
Following a recent court postponement in the new traffic case, Brown said he remains remorseful and is not a bad person. He stated he continues to take accountability but also wants to preserve his dignity. Court records show he is currently represented by the public defender’s office.
Brown is scheduled to return to court in March to face the charge of driving on a revoked license. Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger has confirmed the case is being actively pursued.
Meanwhile, Lisa Lea, the other driver involved in the 2023 crash, was sentenced last month to 30 years in prison.
