OC Today-Dispatch JANUARY 30, 2026
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Sign up now for our new, Monday-Friday newsletter. — Page 55
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Route 50 draw span work done Contractor completes maintenance work on bridge’s leaves ahead of storm and way ahead of schedule.— PAGE 4
Fire destroys family’s home PHOTO COURTESY OF DRISCOLL DRONES
The unofficial report on the bridge maintenance project is that State Highway Administration contractors used a crane to work on the draw span sections — or leaves — of the Route 50 bridge and didn’t have to raise and lock them into position to gain access.
Fire chief to be named Tues.
The Drew family planned to bring their newborn home from the hospital soon. But then their home was destroyed by fire.— PAGE 24
Ocean City Fire Department Acting Chief Josh Bunting retired from the city’s employ but then applied for the chief’s job. If he’s gets the post — and he’s one of 50-plus applicants — he’ll be able to draw his pension and his paycheck. City officials say they’ll announce their pick Tuesday — PAGE 12
Mailloux out early on good behavior Tyler Mailloux, who was serving 18 months for leaving the scene of an accident that claimed the life of 14-year-old Gavin Knupp in 2022, has been released from jail after getting credit for how he served his time. — PAGE 3
PHOTO COURTESY OF BERLIN FIRE COMPANY
Fire engulfs the home on Griffin Road.
PAGE 2
JANUARY 30, 2026
OC Today-Dispatch
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Mailloux’s jail sentence cut short, out on good behavior because he will receive probation beBy Bethany Hooper fore judgment, so long as he complies Associate Editor (Jan. 30, 2026) Tyler Mailloux, the with the requirements of a supervised Berlin man sentenced for a traffic of- probation. This is just a tragedy. fense in the hit-and-run accident that That’s the saddest part. Tyler did killed 14-year-old nothing wrong, period.” Gavin Knupp, has When reached for comment this been released from week, Worcester County State’s Attorjail, his attorney con- ney Kris Heiser said Mailloux’s legal firmed this week. counsel filed a motion to modify his Mailloux, 25, had client’s sentence to probation before been incarcerated judgment, but that the motion is being since Feb. 25 of last held “sub curia,” which she said is often Tyler Mailloux year, when he entered done when a judge wants to see if a dea guilty plea to a fendant is successful on probation. felony count in Knupp’s death. His at“Whether Mailloux successfully torney, George Psoras, said Mailloux completes his probation remains to be completed his sentence on Jan. 23 – seen, and whether the court chooses, months earlier than his initial release at some point in future, to modify the date – and will now begin his three probation in the manner requested by years of supervised probation. the defense also remains to be seen “He simply completed his lawful and that decision is entirely up to the sentence,” Psoras told the OC Today- judge,” she said. Dispatch this week. “He will now have Mailloux’s early release follows an to undertake his probation obligations administrative appeal he filed last the court ordered.” year challenging his Worcester housing status at the County Public Infor- ‘He’s happy to be released, he county jail. While mation Officer Kim paid his debt, and a good thing initially held in a Moses said Mailloux is in less than three years he more confined unit, was released last he requested – and will have no record…’ Friday “in accorwas ultimately George Psoras, attorney granted – a move dance with Maryland law and has no back to the general more obligations with the Jail or population, which allowed him to earn County.” Psoras made it clear this diminution credits for an early reweek his client was not paroled but lease. had earned enough diminution credits “Candidly, he would’ve been refor an earlier release. leased earlier if they had allowed him Generally, diminution credits are the same opportunity others had,” days either granted or earned on a Psoras said. monthly basis at state correctional faMailloux and several other named cilities and local detention centers, ac- co-defendants are also facing a civil cording to the Maryland Department suit filed by the Knupp family. The of Legislative Services. Conversely, pa- suit seeks damages on 16 counts, inrole is a discretionary release granted cluding negligence, wrongful death, by a parole board. negligent entrustment and intentional “The short story is he completed his infliction of emotional distress. sentence and he did receive diminu“This lawsuit is the next step in tion credits,” Psoras explained. “You holding accountable all those responget diminution credits for good behav- sible for Gavin's death,” Neil ior and work performed while you are Dubovsky, the Knupp family’s attorincarcerated … It’s statutory.” ney, said in a statement last summer. Last February, Mailloux reached a “Beyond that we will have no comdeal with the Worcester County ment while litigation is ongoing." State’s Attorney’s Office in which he On July 11, 2022, at around 10:45 would plead guilty to leaving the scene p.m., a driver in a black Mercedes of an accident where a driver traveling east on Grays Corner Road “knew/reasonably knew accident struck and killed Knupp, who was remust result in death and death oc- portedly returning to a vehicle driven curred,” according to the Maryland by his older sister. Transportation Code. In return, the Knupp’s sister Summer performed state’s attorney’s office agreed it CPR until first responders arrived and would not prosecute the remaining 16 transported him to Atlantic General traffic charges against him. Hospital, where he was later proThe following month, a Worcester nounced dead. County Circuit Court judge sentenced The motorist, who was never idenMailloux to 10 years, with all but 18 tified by investigators, fled the scene months suspended, and three years of and did not return. It took a week for supervised probation upon his re- Maryland State Police to locate the lease. Mercedes and another nine-and-a“He’s happy to be released, he paid half months before 17 traffic charges, his debt, and a good thing is in less including four felony counts, were than three years he will have no record filed against Mailloux.
WE CANNOT SA AY Y THAN K YOU ENOUG H FOR F THE OVE RWHE LM ING SU P PORT TH I S C OMMUN ITY HA H S SH OWN US ! A S P EC I A L T HA N K YOU TO T H E O G C R A B CA AKE F FA ACTORY!
NOT I C E OF T E M POR A RY C LOSU R E DUE TO A RECENT INCIDENT, T, OUR EST ES ST TA ABLISHMENT A IS CLOSED UNTIL FUR RT THER NOTICE. WE ARE WORKING DILIGENTL LY Y TO REOPEN AN ND REGRET ANY DISRUPTION TO YOUR PLA ANS. TH HA ANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDER RS ST TA ANDING. A WE WILL PROVIDE UPDA DA AT TE ES S AS SOON AS POSSIBLE REG GA ARDING OUR REO OPENING. The Mushrush family would like to thank you for all the calls , messages & kind d wor rd ds.