UPDATED: Wrong-way Seaford Driver Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison in Deadly Wicomico County Crash
UPDATED – 08/15/25 – A Seaford man has been sentenced in the Circuit Court of Wicomico County for multiple counts of manslaughter by motor vehicle. Judge Matthew Maciarello sentenced 61 year old Jay Bynum to 30 years in prison – the maximum allowable sentence under the law. Bynum was convicted in June after a three-day jury trial of three counts of grossly negligent manslaughter by motor vehicle and other related offenses.
Court records show that on May 19, 2024 just before 3am a Somerset County Sheriff’s Deputy came upon a head on collision on Route 13 near St. Lukes Road in Wicomico County. County. Investigation revealed that Bynum drove his Dodge Durango northbound in the southbound lanes of U.S. Route 13 for approximately 5.8 miles before striking a Subaru Impreza head on, killing a young family of three from upstate New York: 20-year-old Dean Alexander Dennison, 19-year-old Sierra Rain Merchant, and their 1-year-old son, Grayson Dennison. Bynum’s blood was tested for alcohol and was found to be over one and a half times the legal limit to drive.
Wicomico County State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes said, “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.” SA Dykes commended the members of the Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation, specifically TFC P. Eckrich, TFC D. Hopkins, and Sgt. C. Gore. SA Dykes further commended members of the Fruitland Volunteer Fire Company, the Salisbury Fire Department and the Allen Volunteer Fire Department, as well as Cpl. K. Corbin of the Somerset County
Sheriff’s Office for their efforts. Finally, SA Dykes commended Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren Bourdon and Assistant State’s Attorney Jeffrey Hysan, Jr. for their advocacy in the case.
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UPDATED – 06/18/25 – A 61-year-old Seaford man was convicted this week in Wicomico County Circuit Court on multiple counts of manslaughter and homicide by vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The charges stem from a head-on crash in May of 2024 on U.S. Route 13 that killed a young family of three from New York. Jay Richard Bynum had been driving the wrong way with a blood alcohol level over 1.5 times the legal limit. Sentencing is pending; he remains in custody.
Additional Information:
On June 18, 2025, Jay Richard Bynum, age 61, of Seaford, Delaware was convicted in the Circuit Court for Wicomico County of three (3) counts of Grossly Negligent Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle, three (3) counts of Criminally Negligent Manslaughter by Vehicle, three (3) counts of Homicide by Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol, and related charges following a three-day jury trial presided over by the Honorable Matthew A. Maciarello, Associate Judge of the Circuit Court of Wicomico County. Sentencing was postponed so that a pre-sentence investigation could be conducted. Bynum will remain in custody pending the sentencing in this matter.
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UPDATED – 06/10/24 – A Seaford man has been charged after a crash on May 19th on Route 13 in Wicomico County. Maryland State Police have charged 59 year old Jay Richard Bynum after he allegedly drove north in the southbound lane and collided heard on with a Subaru – killing 21 year old Dean Dennison, 20 year old Sierra Merchant and 1 year old Grayson Dennison – all from New York. Bynum was also injured and treated for injuries at Shock Trauma in Baltimore. Bynum is charged with the following:
- Negligent manslaughter by auto (3x)
- Criminal negligent manslaughter by vehicle (3x)
- Negligent auto homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence (3x)
- Homicide by motor vehicle while impaired (3x)
- Driving under the influence
- Driving while intoxicated
Bynum is being held without bond.
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UPDATED – Maryland State Police report that the 1 year old infant has also died from injuries in the crash.
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ORIGINAL STORY – 06/19/24 – A crash just before 3am Sunday on Route 13 south of St Luke’s Road in Wicomico County left two people dead and two injured. Maryland State Police say a Durango driven by 59 year old Jay Bynum of Seaford was northbound in the southbound lanes when he crashed into a Subaru. The driver of the Subaru, 21 year old Dean Dennison and a passenger, 20 year old Sierra Merchant, both of New York, were declared dead at the scene.
A 1 year old boy in the Subaru was transported to Tidal Health Peninsula Regional Hospital. Bynum was flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore.
The investigation is continuing – charges are pending.