Howard County police charged a Columbia man Oct. 4 with traffic violations relating to the fatal collision in July that has sparked a community drive to shut down one of the exit ramps at the intersection of Route 29 and Interstate 70, where the accident occurred.

Robert Neil Mecklenburg, 79, of Upwoods Lane in Columbia, was charged with failure to yield right of way and negligent driving, according to Howard County police.

The two charges carry a combined potential fine of $1,500, police said.

Mecklenburg declined to comment on the charges.

Andrew Noel, 19, of Ellicott City, was killed at the exit July 19, when he was riding a motorcycle south on Route 29 and a Dodge Durango, driven by Mecklenburg and traveling north on Route 29, turned in front of Noel in an attempt to access an exit ramp for westbound I-70, according to county police.

The intersection requires northbound drivers on Route 29 to cross the southbound lanes of Route 29 to access a ramp for westbound I-70.

Noel was pronounced dead at the scene. Mecklenburg was taken to Howard County General Hospital with minor injuries and later released.

Following Noel’s death, area residents led by Noel’s mother, Valerie Noel, petitioned county and state officials to close the "crossover" exit ramp.

On Sept. 24, the State Highway Administration replaced the existing yield sign with two stop signs along northbound Route 29 at the crossover. SHA also installed crossover warning signs and rumble strips along southbound Route 29.

Noel and other residents have said the changes are not enough.

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