A Chester woman was charged with driving under the influence following a January crash on the Bay Bridge that caused an hours-long delay, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
Officers took 48-year-old Gwendolyn Persina into custody and brought her to Queen Anne’s County Detention Center Wednesday evening, where she is being held without bail. Her charges include driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, driving with a suspended license, and causing life-threatening injuries by driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
On January 27 at 7:46 a.m., 23 vehicles were involved in a pile-up on the westbound side of the bridge and 20 cars were involved in secondary accidents. Twelve people were transported to the hospital, one with life-threatening injuries.
Responding officers located a blue 2018 Honda Civic that had been involved in the crash and identified Persina as the driver. MDTA Police said Persina was speeding when she struck another vehicle, causing the chain-reaction crash.
Persina had previously pleaded guilty to driving while impaired by alcohol in October 2022.
“I believe that she is a threat to public safety with her driving history,” Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney Lance Richardson said in a statement.
Persina’s trial date is set for February 5, 2025. No attorney is listed for Persina in Maryland Case Search.
