Catherine Ann Thornton

Photo courtesy WCSO

On Monday Dec. 4, 2023 at 8:03 pm, Deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and EMS personnel were dispatched to the area of S Upper Ferry Road and Siloam Road for a pedestrian that had been struck by a motor vehicle. Deputies arrived on scene and found the victim, Aaron Douglas III, with life-threatening injuries. Douglas was flown to a medical facility due to the nature and severity of his injuries. Douglas remains hospitalized in critical condition at the time of this release.

Deputies were advised that the suspect vehicle fled the scene. Witnesses provided a suspect vehicle description that was broadcast to allied law enforcement agencies. A potential suspect vehicle was located a short time later by the Princess Anne Police Department. The vehicle was seized pending crime scene analysis.

Due to the severe nature of the collision, the Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit (CRU) and Criminal Investigation Division (CID) responded to the scene to investigate. A person of interest has been identified, and charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.

On Dec. 13, 2023, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office was notified that  Aaron Douglas had succumbed to his injuries.

On Monday, May 6, 2024, the results of the investigation were presented to the Grand Jury for Wicomico County for review. The Grand Jury for Wicomico County returned an indictment for Catherine Ann Thornton.

Charges:
• Homicide – MV / Vessel -Drugs
• Homicide – MV / Vessel – CDS
• Negligent Manslaughter
• Alter Physical Evidence Crim Proc
• Related CDS and Traffic Charges

On May 8, 2024, members of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and Patrol Division arrested Thornton and served her with her Criminal Indictment. Thornton was held without bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center.

Catherine Ann Thornton is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Releasing Authority: WCSO Criminal Investigation Division