OCEAN CITY, Md. — A man with a history of criminal traffic violations has been charged in the drunk driving death that occurred Friday in Ocean City.
Police were originally called about a reported drunk driver, spotting the suspected vehicle, a white Lexus LX570, in the area of 59th Street and Coastal Highway. Police lost sight of the Lexus before it could be stopped.
Then at about 1:15 a.m., police said the Lexus struck another vehicle in the area of 46th Street and Coastal Highway, causing it to burst into flames. The driver of that vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Lexus, 41-year-old Todd Pivec of Cockeysville, attempted to flee the scene on, but he struck a nearby telephone pole, immobilizing his vehicle. Pivec then tried to flee on foot, but he was “immediately taken into custody,” Ocean City Police said.
Police established Pivec was intoxicated at the time of the fatal crash. He was charged with two misdemeanor counts and three felonies: criminally negligent manslaughter involving a vehicle; resisting or interfering with arrest; negligent vehicular homicide while under the influence; negligent manslaughter involving an automobile, boat, etc.; and vehicular homicide while impaired by alcohol. He was held without bond, a status that was affirmed at his bail review. Pivec remains in Worcester County lock up.
A review of Maryland Case Search shows a history of charges against Pivec, several involving the operation of a motor vehicle. Included in his previous run-ins with police are at least two occasions where Pivec drove a vehicle without an ignition interlock system he was required to be using.
