Sunday Okedeyi Joseph Indicted on 36 Counts in Deadly Bladensburg Crash

The State's Attorney announced Jan 23 that a Prince George's County grand jury returned a 36-count indictment charging 66-year-old Sunday Okedeyi Joseph in connection with an Oct. 18, 2025 crash in Bladensburg that left one person dead and 13 others injured. The indictment follows an incident in which prosecutors say Joseph reversed his vehicle into the front yard of a residence where a child's birthday party was being held under a tent.

The victim who died has been identified as 31-year-old Ashley Hernandez Gutierrez. Authorities reported 13 additional victims: eight children and five adults who sustained injuries in the crash. According to the State's Attorney's release, Joseph was arrested the day after the incident.

Charges in the indictment include grossly negligent manslaughter by motor vehicle, multiple hit-and-run and failure-to-remain counts, and reckless driving. The State's Attorney's release lists potential penalties associated with the charged offenses. The 36-count indictment formalizes the criminal allegations and moves the matter forward in the county's criminal justice process under the prosecution of the State's Attorney's Office.

The crash occurred in a residential setting that underscores questions about safety at neighborhood gatherings. Residents and community groups in Bladensburg and across Prince George's County have expressed concern about how a routine block event became a site of severe harm. The number of child victims heightens the emotional and civic stakes for community leaders, schools, and local public safety agencies that coordinate event permits and emergency response planning.

For local government and public safety officials, the indictment is likely to prompt reviews of traffic safety measures in residential zones, expectations for driver conduct, and emergency medical response protocols for mass-casualty events at private gatherings. State's Attorney prosecution of this case will also be closely watched for how Maryland law is applied to allegations of gross negligence and multiple failure-to-remain violations.

For neighbors and families directly affected, the indictment marks a step toward legal accountability while the community continues to process the loss and trauma from the October crash. Residents should monitor court filings for arraignment and pretrial schedules, and community organizations may coordinate support services for victims and witnesses. The case will remain a focal point for local discussion about safety at public and private events and for how Prince George's County balances neighborhood life with public safety enforcement and criminal accountability.