MSP Investigating Two Fatal Crashes on Eastern Shore from July 4th Weekend
DORCHESTER & QUEEN ANNE’S COUNTIES, Md. – The Maryland State Police (MSP) are investigating two separate crashes on the Eastern Shore that occurred over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
MSP, along with the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), are urging motorists to drive safely throughout the remainder of the busy summer travel season.
Dorchester Crash
Around 10:15 p.m. on Friday, Jul. 3, troopers from the MSP Easton Barrack responded to the area of eastbound Ocean Gateway (Route 50) at Mt. Holly Road for a reported three-vehicle crash.
A preliminary investigation indicated three vehicles, a Kia Soul, an Audi Q5, and a Subaru Forester, were traveling eastbound on U.S. Route 50. For unknown reasons, the Kia Soul attempted to cross between the Subaru and the Audi, subsequently striking the Subaru before also striking the Audi. The Audi came to rest in an embankment while the Subaru came to rest in the median. The Kia, however, struck a light pole before coming to rest in a ditch.
The driver of the Kia, identified as 43-year-old James Demby of Cambridge, was pronounced dead on the scene.
The driver of the Audi, identified as a 40-year-old male; the driver of a Subaru Forrester, identified as a 17-year-old male; and a passenger in the Subaru, identified as a 17-year-old male, were all transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries.
An additional passenger in the Subaru, a 17-year-old male, was flown by Aviation Command to a local trauma center for treatment of his injuries.
Lanes in the area were closed for more than three hours following the crash.
Queen Anne’s Crash
Image Courtesy of Church Hill Volunteer Fire Department
The following morning, around 9:43 a.m., troopers from the MSP Centreville Barrack responded to southbound U.S. Route 301 at Roberts Station Road for a reported two-vehicle crash.
The preliminary investigation indicates that an SUV was traveling west on Roberts Station Road, approaching the intersection at U.S. Route 301, when, for unknown reasons, it continued through the intersection and struck a tractor-trailer that was traveling south. The impact of the crash caused the SUV to become pinned under the tractor-trailer and catch fire. Police say they believe that speeding may have been a factor in the crash.
The vehicle fire spread, igniting the tractor-trailer and the nearby median. Multiple fire companies responded to the scene, including the Church Hill, Centreville, Crumpton, Sudlersville, and Kent Island Volunteer Fire Departments.
The individual believed to be the driver of the SUV was pronounced deceased on the scene. Their positive identification is pending autopsy results. No other injuries were reported in connection with the crash.
Troopers from the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division and Automotive Safety Enforcement Division are assisting with the crash investigation. Lanes in the area were closed for more than three hours for the crash investigation.
Maryland Crash Data
These crashes are indicative of what was a deadly weekend for the entire state. According to crash data from the MDOT, between Jun. 29 and Jul. 5, 14 fatalities were recorded across Maryland. As of Jul. 6, 195 people have lost their lives on Maryland roadways this year, compared to 235 at this time last year.
Image Courtesy of Maryland Department of Transportation
