One killed, several in the hospital following early morning crash In Wicomico County

GUMBORO, Md. – Maryland State Police are investigating an early morning crash that claimed the life of a Salisbury man and injured sixteen others in Wicomico County.

According to police, the crash happened shortly before 3:45 a.m., at 9049 Gumboro Road. Witnesses told police that a Kia Forte was disabled and attempting a jump start from a GMC Acadia, both stopped in the travel portion of the road. A Chevrolet Express van had stopped ahead of the two vehicles while they were initiating the jump start.

It is believed that a tractor-trailer was traveling southbound on Gumboro Road when it hit the rear of the Forte and the passenger side of the Acadia, which caused a chain reaction crash.

The driver of the Kia Forte, identified as 39-year-old Eliassaint Aussideu of Salisbury, was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no passengers in the Kia.

One of two passengers in the Acadia, identified as 34-year-old Joseus Gerlie of Salisbury, was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital by MSP Aviation for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. The driver of that vehicle was identified as 37-year-old Geraldine Phauord of Salisbury.

The third passenger vehicle involved was a 2000 Chevrolet Express van, driven by 43-year-old Jenise Mondestin of Salisbury. There were 12 passengers in the van at the time of the crash.

A total of 15 people were treated at the scene, and all were taken by ambulance to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional.

The driver of the 2018 Freightliner tractor-trailer was identified as 61-year-old Rodney Powell of Parsonsburg. He was not injured in the crash.

Police believe the drivers and passengers of all the vehicles involved were inside their respective vehicles when the crash occurred.

The crash remains under investigation.