Kate Delenick
Co Editor-in-Chief
Shawron Gabriel Bibbs, of Reiserstown, is facing charges of negligent manslaughter by automobile, theft of more than $500, and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, as well as a dozen misdemeanor charges resulting in the February hit-and-run crash that killed McDaniel sophomore, Thomas Rouleau.
Bibbs was arrested by the Hempstead New York Police Department in March and then held in the Nassau County Correctional Facility. After several delays due to unresolved matters in New York, Bibbs waived his extradition rights at a hearing in Nassau.
According to the Carroll County Times and Captain Gerry Frischkorn, Westminster police took him into Maryland custody on Thursday, April 30. Charging documents in the case say that Bibbs took a pickup truck from a man he was staying with at the Best Western without permission.
Shortly before the fatal crash a 911 call was made describing the pickup hitting another vehicle on East Main Street then driving away in an erratic manner, and at a faster than normal speed, according to the documents.
Westminster police made an attempt to stop the pickup after an officer clocked the vehicle at 45mph in a 25mph zone; continuing more than 130 feet before it came to a stop at the intersection of Md. 31 after striking the car of Rouleau.
Randall Fields was identified as the owner of the pickup after police traced the vehicle. Fields told police he had been in Westminster completing work and met Bibbs during the week. Bibbs said he needed a place to stay and Fields allowed him to stay with him in his Best Western hotel room. He was introduced to Bibbs as “Jay.” Fields later identified “Jay” in a lineup as Bibbs.
In an interview Frischkorn said, “He [Bibbs] is only in jail now because the judge believes he is a flight risk and wants to ensure he will come to trial.” He continued saying, “This case is unique in that it took so long just to get Mr. Bibbs into custody because he fled after the collision. If he had not fled, he would have been charged the night of the collision and may or may not have been in jail now depending on the bond amount. To many it seems like the case is over because he has now been apprehended, but again the real issues associated with a trial have just started.”
For all of us in the McDaniel community it seems this case has been pending forever, but as Frischkorn said it is only the beginning. Many around campus still think of Tom every day, whether it’s when they pass the theater where Tom spent so much time, or when they hear a funny joke, knowing Tom was a true comedian.
While we learned from Tom’s parents that the arrest of Bibbs did not bring closure to their son’s death, the Westminster Police Department feel very similar. Frischkorn explained that officers, much like those of us at McDaniel, will probably never experience closure. The officers and detectives involved in this case and many other don’t feel the deep and intimate loss that the family and friends of Tom have experienced but that does not mean they can forget this tragedy simply because another day has passed.
As spring turns to summer and we all begin to leave the Hill take time to remember Thomas Rouleau, a member of the McDaniel community that we lost.
There is no way to tell how long the trial through appeal process will be and for so many of us it is that kind of uncertainty that keeps us weary. However, as we have from the very beginning we must continue to stick together through this ordeal and hope and pray for the best possible outcome.
We’re still thinking of you, Tom.