LEONARDTOWN, Md. — On March 28, 2025, Michael Anthony Carlucci, 50, of Waldorf, Maryland, was sentenced to serve seven years in prison for a high-speed, multi-vehicle crash that killed Jaleisa Wilcox, a 33-year-old mother of four, and injured another person. State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced the sentencing, which stemmed from a May 31, 2023, collision in Mechanicsville, St. Mary’s County.
The sentencing hearing saw the State push for the maximum penalty of ten years, exceeding the Maryland sentencing guideline range of three months to four years. Judge Joseph Stanalonis sentenced Carlucci to ten years, with seven years of active incarceration, followed by five years of supervised probation. A special condition bars him from driving until further court order. Carlucci had been convicted of manslaughter by vehicle on March 24, 2025, after an investigation revealed he drove his 2020 Chevrolet Corvette at excessive speed, attempting to pass vehicles on the shoulder, striking Wilcox’s Toyota Camry and causing it to overturn.
“The heartbreaking tragedy of this case speaks to the critical need for responsible driving—and penalties that reflect the irreparable harm these crashes can cause,” Sterling said. “The profound loss felt by Jaleisa’s loved ones is a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by reckless drivers on the road.” She emphasized the broader implications, noting, “Every time a driver gets behind the wheel, they make choices that affect not just their own fate, but also the lives of everyone around them.”
The crash occurred on Three Notch Road near Laurel Grove Road, where Carlucci’s Corvette also hit a Toyota 4Runner driven by Jeamine Eugene Barnes, 50, of Hollywood, injuring Barnes and sending all three vehicles into an embankment. Wilcox was pronounced dead at the scene, while Carlucci was treated at Capitol Regional Medical Center. Speed was a key factor, with witnesses suggesting Carlucci may have been racing a Ford Mustang, though that driver remains unidentified.
Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Michael McGraw prosecuted the case, representing St. Mary’s County residents. Corporal Jason Smith of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation, which included crash scene analysis and witness accounts. The case, presided over by Judge Stanalonis, underscores Sterling’s focus on road safety since taking office.
Wilcox, a Lusby resident and owner of Quality Cleaners LLC, left behind four children and her fiancé, Edward Gardner. A GoFundMe campaign raised funds for her family, who vowed to seek justice. Carlucci, held without bond since his conviction, faced a maximum of ten years under Maryland law for vehicular manslaughter. The sentencing reflects a push for accountability in a county that saw 563 traffic deaths statewide in 2023, per Maryland Department of Transportation data.
