Kendall Deshong Young sentenced to 8 years for fatal distracted driving

Kendall Deshong Young, 34, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, with eight years to serve, for the vehicular manslaughter of James Michael Lacey in Leonardtown, Maryland. The incident occurred on March 19, 2025, when Young drove onto the shoulder of Point Lookout Road and St. Andrews Church Road while using his cell phone. He struck Lacey, who was standing outside his vehicle with hazard lights activated, killing him.

A witness reported observing Young driving erratically and using his phone for approximately five miles prior to the collision. In addition to his prison sentence, Young was ordered to complete five years of supervised probation, a driver improvement course, 200 hours of community service, and attend a victim impact panel.

State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling used the sentencing to advocate for legislative changes through Jamari’s Law. The proposed bill seeks to reclassify vehicular manslaughter as a crime of violence in Maryland, which would affect parole eligibility and increase maximum sentences.