An Elkridge man was killed June 22 when the car he was driving on Tamar Drive in Columbia struck a parked vehicle and overturned, police said.

Cesar A. Vallecillo, 19, of the 7000 block of Brookdale Drive, in Elkridge, was traveling east on Tamar Drive near the intersection of North Slope Path in east Columbia at 5:05 a.m. when his Toyota Celica veered into the westbound lane, struck a car parked along the side of the road and overturned, police said.

Vallecillo was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. His family could not be reached for comment.

Police said excessive speed was a factor in the accident. An investigation is continuing.

-- Mike Santa Rita

Parking violation fines to increase July 1

The fines for parking violations in Howard County are set to increase July 1.

The County Council approved the new fee schedule as part of the county's budget this spring.

* The fine for parking in a fire lane will increase from $50 to $150.

* The fine for blocking a fire hydrant will rise from $45 to $50.

* There will be no change in the parking meter rates, but the fine for a parking meter violation will increase from $20 to $25.

* The fine for illegally parking in a spot reserved for those with disabilities will increase from $150 to $350.

Prior to the fee hike for handicapped parking violations, county officials will affix stickers displaying the new $350 fine on the existing signs marking handicapped spots at government buildings, schools, libraries and other public facilities. The new fine will only be imposed on violators if the new sticker has been posted at the site of the violation, officials said, adding that they plan to have the new stickers distributed by the end of July.

Those in the private sector are responsible for changing the handicapped parking signs on their properties to reflect the increased fine. The county will provide free stickers to update private signs at the Northern District police headquarters in Ellicott City, the Southern district police office in Scaggsville, and at the Department of Public Works' Traffic Engineering Division in Ellicott City.

For more information, call the traffic engineering division at 410-313-2430.

-- Jennifer Broadwater

Police offer reward for information on assault

Howard County police are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a man police say sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl June 19 in Elkridge.

The assault took place at about 3:30 p.m. along Rowanberry Drive, according to police.

Police said the assailant approached the girl, who was walking alone, pulled out a knife and forced her into a wooded area a short distance from the sidewalk. The assailant then forced the girl to remove her clothing and assaulted her, police said.

The assailant then left the woods, walked to the street and got into the passenger side of a car that pulled away, police said. The car was described as an older model car with a yellow license plate; no additional information about the car is available, police said.

Police describe the suspect as a black man in his early to mid-20s, approximately 6 feet tall, and weighing 230 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes, short corn rows and stubble on his face. He was wearing dark blue jeans and a red tank top at the time of the incident.

Police had made no arrests in the case as of June 25, police spokesman Pfc. Bryce Buell said.

Police ask anyone with information about the incident or suspect to call 410-313-7867.

-- Mike Santa Rita

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