6 construction workers struck, killed in Beltway crash in Woodlawn
UPDATE (March 23): Maryland State Police identified the six people killed in Wednesday's crash on the Beltway.
- Rolando Ruiz, 46, of Laurel
- Carlos Orlando Villatoro Escobar, 43, of Frederick
- Jose Armando Escobar, 52, of Frederick
- Mahlon Simmons III, 31, of Union Bridge
- Mahlon Simmons II, 52, of Union Bridge
- Sybil Lee Dimaggio, 46, of Glen Burnie
UPDATE (10:42 p.m. March 22): Maryland State Police have identified two drivers involved in the fatal crash that killed six people Wednesday.
Police identified the driver of the Acura involved in the crash as Lisa Adrienna Lea, 54, of Randallstown. She was taken Shock Trauma. Police did not have an update on her condition.
Police said a second vehicle involved in the crash was a Volkswagen driven by Melachi Brown, 20, of Windsor Mill. Brown's vehicle became disabled north of the scene on the Beltway. He was not injured, according to police.
A preliminary investigation indicates Lea tried to change lanes. As she tried to move into the left lane, police said they believe her vehicle struck the front corner panel on the passenger side of the Volkswagen. Crash investigators believe this caused the Acura to lose control and go into the work zone, where the crash occurred.
ORIGINAL STORY (March 22): Six people were killed Wednesday afternoon in a crash on the westside of the Baltimore Beltway in Woodlawn.
According to Maryland State Police, troopers were called around 12:40 p.m. for reports of a pedestrian struck at a work zone on the Inner Loop of the Beltway near Security Boulevard.
A preliminary investigation indicates the car entered the work zone in between jersey walls, struck construction workers and overturned.
"The preliminary investigation, at this point, indicates that, for reasons unknown, an Acura traveled in between the jersey walls and struck the contract workers that were on that scene. All six contract workers were declared deceased at the scene by EMS personnel," Maryland State Police spokeswoman Elena Russo told 11 News.
State police told 11 News there might be a second vehicle involved but that an investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 410-780-2700.
"Our crash team investigators are on site now looking to figure out what happened prior to this Acura traveling into this work zone area. At this point, we’re not sure," Russo said. "Crash team investigators are looking at everything from speed to impairment to possibly something happening prior to this Acura entering this work zone to figure out the cause of the crash."
State police said they continue to notify the families of those who died, and the driver of the car was taken to Shock Trauma in Baltimore. The driver's condition was not immediately known.
SkyTeam 11 video recorded around 12:45 p.m. showed traffic stopped at the scene where a single car overturned in a construction zone on the left shoulder of the Inner Loop near Security Boulevard.
"I heard a big crash noise, and then about two minutes after, the helicopters (were) coming out, and they were out for a while," said Zanaria Roscoe, a nearby resident. "(The Beltway is) blocked off from my house; I live right by the Beltway. The Beltway is closed, and then, when I came past and saw all of this, I was like, 'Oh my goodness. It's two helicopters out on each end.' I didn't know it was this bad."
"I'm just thinking, 'What's going on?' I saw a casualty, and I'm like, 'Oh, wow.' They were running; police officers running up and down the highway, telling people to move out of the way," said Bridget Brown, a driver.
"It's ridiculous. I came through here earlier today and I know there was a lot of people working in that exact spot where that car is," said Monroe Bradford, a driver. "You go out there for a day's work and then you don't know what's going to happen. The way people have been driving, even with construction, they still think it's a raceway."
Police said there was no indication as to how long Beltway will be shut down, and traffic was stopped for miles, SkyTeam 11 video showed.
In the 1 p.m. hour, Inner Loop traffic was getting by on the right shoulder, and traffic was completely stopped on the Outer Loop. By 3:30 p.m., one lane was getting by in both directions, an 11 News crew at the scene reported.
By 4 p.m., the State Highway Administration tweeted that two lanes in both directions had been opened, but two remained closed in both directions.
Shortly before 7 p.m., state police said all lanes were reopened.
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Baltimore County Public Schools sent a note to parents to say bus transportation in this area will be impacted as a result of the crash. "We will work as quickly as possible to transport students safely this afternoon," the district wrote.
Gov. Wes Moore tweeted a statement, saying: "My heart goes out to the victims and the families affected by the tragic crash on the 695 beltway this afternoon. My office is in touch with local authorities and will continue to monitor the situation. We will provide more information as it becomes available."
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski tweeted a statement, saying: "On behalf of all the residents of Baltimore County, we offer our sincere condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in today's tragic crash and my prayers remain with those injured in this horrific incident.
"We thank Maryland State Police, the Baltimore County Fire Department, and all our first responders for their efforts and will continue to do all we can to support their ongoing response."
The National Transportation Safety Board is sending investigators to support the investigation into the crash.
This developing report will be updated.