Bel Air Man Charged in Crash That Killed High School Soccer Star

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A 39-year-old Bel Air man, John Anthony Gaeta Jr., has been indicted by a Harford County grand jury on charges related to a September 2025 crash that killed a 16-year-old high school soccer star and critically injured another 17-year-old. The three-vehicle crash on Route 543 in Bel Air resulted in the death of Blake Elliott and serious injuries to Zach Griffin, as well as injuries to six others on a school bus.

Why it matters

The tragic crash has devastated the local community, with the loss of a promising young athlete and the serious injuries to another student. It has also raised concerns about road safety and the need for increased measures to protect vulnerable road users, especially students commuting to and from school.

The details

Gaeta has been charged with negligent vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent vehicular manslaughter, and two counts of second-degree assault. The charges stem from the September 2025 crash on Route 543 in Bel Air, where a three-vehicle collision resulted in the death of 16-year-old Blake Elliott, a soccer star at C. Milton Wright High School, and critical injuries to 17-year-old Zach Griffin. Six other students on a school bus were also injured in the incident.

• The crash occurred in September 2025 on Route 543 in Bel Air.
• Gaeta was arrested on Friday morning, after being charged on Tuesday.

What’s next

Gaeta will face a judge to determine if he will be allowed out on bail as the case proceeds.