Commonwealth v. Maxwell J. Schaefer; Man Convicted in Double Manslaughter Crash

Virginia Beach, Va. – Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Maxwell J. Schaefer, age 27, formerly of Tomball, Texas, was found guilty by a jury on charges of Involuntary Manslaughter (2 counts), Possession of Schedule I/II Drug, and Reckless Driving – Endangerment.  Circuit Court Judge Tanya Felton, who presided over the three-day jury trial, will sentence Schaefer on May 27, 2026.

The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that in the early morning hours of May 7, 2023, Maxwell Schaefer, Tajh Dorleans, Todd Reid Marcey, and another passenger left the oceanfront after attending a concert at Peabody’s night club.  Schaefer was driving, Tajh was the front seat passenger, Todd was the rear seat passenger, and the surviving passenger was behind the driver’s seat.  As Shaefer traveled 113 m.p.h. on Interstate 264-W, he suddenly left the far-left lane of travel and veered off the highway across all lanes of traffic, striking a tree head-on.  A citizen witness observed the crash, and a Virginia Beach police officer who had just ended his shift came upon the scene.  The police officer immediately observed that Todd was deceased, and believed it was possible that more occupants were deceased.

Rescue personnel arrived and transported the occupants, including Schaefer, to the hospital.  A vial of cocaine was later found in his clothing.  Schaefer was also injured in the crash but was arrested after a period of rehabilitation.  Evidence of drug use was found in tests run on Schaefer at the hospital and drug paraphernalia was located in the car.

Dorleans was hospitalized for 10 months, until he ultimately succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.  The surviving passenger was also injured and though he survived, has lifelong medical complications as a result of the crash.

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Wendy Alexander and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon S. Dolida prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.