One Dead After Car Crashes into Coulbourn Mill Pond; MSP Investigating

Images Courtesy of Salisbury Fire Department

SALISBURY, Md. – The Maryland State Police (MSP) are investigating a single-vehicle crash that killed an 18-year-old on Wednesday night.

Police say a Honda Civic crashed into Coulbourn Mill Pond on Feb. 11, killing Matthew Garcia of Rockville, Maryland who is believed to have been the driver during the crash. Garcia was flown by Maryland State Police Aviation Command to a trauma center, where he was later pronounced deceased.

Two 19-year-old passengers were in the Honda at the time of the crash; identified as Andy Fon Koh of Takoma Park, Maryland and Eyuael Zewdie of Washington, D.C. Koh was flown by MSP Aviation Command to a shock trauma center for treatment of his injuries. Zewdie was transported by ambulance to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional for treatment of his injuries.

Around 8:41 p.m. on Feb. 11, officers from the Fruitland Police Department (FPD) responded to South Division Street at Coulbourn Mill for a report of a single-vehicle crash. A preliminary investigation indicates the Honda, operated by Garcia, was traveling on South Division Street when he failed to stop at a posted stop sign. Upon entering the intersection, Garcia attempted to steer through the turn, continuing westbound before striking the top of the guardrail and landing in Coulbourn Mill Pond. Authorities believe speeding may have been a factor in the crash.

The Salisbury and Fruitland fire departments, along with the Salisbury Special Operations and Sharptown Dive Team, responded to conduct a water rescue of the three passengers. Upon arrival, one occupant was reportedly on top of the vehicle, while two others remained submerged. Divers entered the water and rapidly extricated all three patients.

Lanes were closed for more than four hours for the crash investigation. MSP says they are conducting the ongoing investigation at the request of FPD.