A Washington, D.C., man has been sentenced in connection with a wrong-way crash in Burtonsville that killed a Columbia resident last year.
According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, 30-year-old Jose Badell-Uzcategui was sentenced on May 13 by Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Eric Johnson to 10 years in prison, with all but seven years suspended, followed by five years of supervised probation. Badell-Uzcategui pleaded guilty in January to one count of manslaughter by motor vehicle in the death of 30-year-old Jazz Andrew Taylor of Columbia.
Prosecutors said the crash occurred during the early morning hours of August 6, 2025, when Badell-Uzcategui drove a silver 2024 Honda CR-V the wrong way on Sandy Spring Road near McKnew Road. Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle traveling eastbound in westbound lanes at a high rate of speed before colliding with Taylor’s red 2007 Honda CR-V. Authorities said another driver attempted to warn the defendant by flashing headlights and honking, but the vehicle continued traveling the wrong direction until the crash occurred.
Investigators determined Badell-Uzcategui had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.182 approximately one hour and 24 minutes after the collision. Police also determined he was traveling between 65 and 68 mph in a 45 mph zone at the time of impact. Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene despite lifesaving efforts by first responders.
State’s Attorney John McCarthy said the sentence was above Maryland sentencing guidelines due to the circumstances of the case, including intoxication, excessive speed, and driving the wrong way on the roadway.
