From the Maryland State Police:
(STREET, MD) – Maryland State Police have been able to notify all the families and are now identifying the three people killed and the two who were injured in a single vehicle crash last night in Harford County.
Those killed in the crash are identified as Tyler G. Anderson, 21, and Shawn R. Ponton, 21, both of Jarrettsville, Md., and Alexzandria O. McDowell, 20, of Street, Md. All three were deceased at the scene.
The injured are identified as Theresa M. Owensby, 19, of Bel Air, Md., and David E. Clark, 21, of Street, Md. Both are being treated at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center where they were flown last night by Maryland State Police helicopters.
Shortly before 11:30 p.m. yesterday, Maryland State Police at the Bel Air Barrack received a call from a citizen who said he observed a vehicle off the roadway in the area of Prospect Road (Rt. 646) and Mill Green Road, near Street, Md. When troopers and EMS personnel arrived, they found a passenger car that was broken into two pieces. One half of the vehicle had fallen into a deep ravine and was about 100 feet from the other half of the car.
The investigation is being conducted by the Maryland State Police CRASH Team, assisted by patrol and criminal investigation troopers from the Bel Air Barrack. Harford County Sheriff’s Office deputies also assisted at the scene.
The vehicle involved was a 2008 Mazda 3, co-registered to the driver, Tyler Anderson, and his father. The preliminary investigation indicates Anderson was eastbound on Prospect Road when he apparently lost control and the car left the roadway. The car became airborne and struck a tree on the eastbound side of the road. The force of the impact caused the vehicle to break in half.
It is not known if alcohol was involved in the crash. Nothing has been ruled out at this early stage of the investigation. An exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. Due to the severe vehicle damage, troopers have been unable to determine if the occupants were wearing seatbelts.
The investigation is continuing.
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From the Maryland State Police:
(STREET, MD) – Maryland State Police are continuing their investigation into a single vehicle crash in Harford County late last night that took the lives of three people and injured two others.
The victims of the crash are not being identified at the time. As of early this morning, troopers are still attempting to locate and notify family members of the victims, who appear to have been friends. Their ages range from late teens to early twenties. They are from Harford and Baltimore counties.
Shortly before 11:30 p.m. yesterday, Maryland State Police at the Bel Air Barrack received a call from a citizen who said he observed a vehicle off the roadway in the area of Prospect Road (Rt. 646) and Mill Green Road, near Street, Md. When troopers and EMS personnel arrived, they found a passenger car that was broken into two pieces. One half of the vehicle had fallen into a deep ravine and was about 100 feet from the other half of the car.
A male and female were found to have survived. They were flown by two Maryland State Police helicopters to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Three victims, two males and a female, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation is being conducted by the Maryland State Police CRASH Team, assisted by patrol and criminal investigation troopers from the Bel Air Barrack. The preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle was eastbound on Prospect Road when the driver, who has not been identified at this time, apparently lost control and the car left the roadway. The car became airborne and struck a tree on the eastbound side of the road. The force of the impact caused the vehicle to break in half.
Troopers have not detected alcohol at the scene and there is no indication at this time that it was a factor in the crash. An exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. Due to the severe vehicle damage, troopers have been unable to determine if the occupants were wearing seatbelts.
As of 5:00 a.m. today, troopers remain on the scene of the crash. They expect to be there another two or three hours.
The investigation is continuing. The identities of all the victims will be released as soon as all their families have been informed.
So sad. We live near the accident scene and heard the sirens and saw the medivacs. I turned on the scanner and they called for the county Chaplin. I knew it was bad after that. Prayers go out to all the families.
This is so sad. My prayers go to their families. My 19 year old son fell asleep at the wheel and ran off the road a few months ago, totalling his car. Thankfully, he survived. There but for the grace of God…..
Such a sad tragedy…Prayers and God’s Comfort to the victim’s families and friends. Such young lives taken too soon. Prayers for a fast and complete recovery for the injured. Words cannot express the sorrow felt for them. And let us not forget our prayers and thoughts for everyone of the Troopers, Deputies, Fire Fighters and EMS who witnessed this tragedy and have to deal with it haunting their thoughts. And for the Fire/EMS who are volunteers, a true thank you for all you do, risking your lives uncompensated by salary for the rest of us citizens… I hope I speak for all citizens of Harford and adjoining counties in saying you are the true unsung hero’s and some of God’s most special children…
May God Bless and Watch over all of you and us….
My family member was on the 1st fire truck on the scene and the last to leave. These are seasoned guys and each one said it was the most horrific scene they have ever encountered. The car basically exploded due to the extreme speed it was going. These guys and the rest of the responders need your prayers as well as the families of the victims. They are haunted by what they saw and had to do that night. Yesterday was a rough day for each of these guys as I’m sure it was for all of the other police and firemen who were there. We tend to forget that these responders do it for free because they have a desire to help those in need. I only hope in some way something good will come out of this tragedy.
My thoughts and prayers will go out to the families of the deceased as well as the first-responders (too often forgotten in tragedies). I hate these stories of young lives taken too soon.
In the search for something good, let us hope two clues you provided may give such an opportunity.
First, the ‘extreme speed’ you referenced. I routinely pull off the road to allow extreme tailgaters to pass me on county roads. I refuse to travel at 60+ mph on roads where the posted limit is 25-35. I am routinely passed on roads with double-yellow solid lines with blind curves – a tragedy just waiting to happen. I forbid my children to play in our front yard where the posted speed limit is 30 mph, but the slowest cars pass well in excess of that. Something good would be a reminder that speed kills. If you want to operate your car at high speeds join the SCCA and drive on their courses. They are closed to traffic and you can put your vehicle through its paces without harming anyone.
The second good would be the idea of ‘helping each other out’. We do that best by following posted speeds, which are set for safety. Just because a car can do over 100 mph doesn’t mean you may or can do it on any road, or ought to. Young people tend to believe that operating a car at excessively high speeds is just like operating a car at slower speeds – totally untrue. I’ve been through a performance driving school because I love fast cars and driving fast. However, that is for the track, not the roads. I also know from experience, that a car designed for traffic and roads where the posted speed limits are a maximum of 65-75 mph cannot perform at higher speeds in a safe fashion. Folks, just because the speedometer says your car ‘can’ go 150 mph, doesn’t mean the tires installed ‘will’ handle those speeds.
So perhaps in our collective grieving we can take a self-inventory of safe driving practices and do better. It may sound corny or cliche to say, but the life you save may be your own.
Extreme speed, huh?
Less experienced drivers are prone to underestimate the effect of added weight in their car when carrying a full (5) passenger load. Your average every day car doesn’t have the performance capabilities to handle the extra 3-500 pounds at higher speeds.
Such a shame, very sad.
This is so very sad. I’m gonna hug my kids a little longer tonight. My prayers are offered for all of the families and to the responders.
My prayers are with the families and the first responders..how devastating for all involved. As a parent of teenagers that is one of my biggest fears is the knock on the door or that late night call. Young drivers please please remember a car is not a toy. It is truly a legal weapon that can kill you, your passengers, or another driver on the road with you. Use your car responsibly we have been losing too many young people to senseless accidents such as this. If you can’t do it for you do it for your parents for heaven sake! The pain a parent has to live with knowing this was a completely preventable thing….you are not meant to bury your children. So Kids think before you do, please!!!
To All:
This post is a classic bitter-sweet statement, sure to touch many, and just as sure to annoy several.
First and foremost I wish to thank all the positive responses and for the condolences sent to the families and friends of this poor victims. It certainly instills the thought that we as fellow human beings can be respectful and sympathize with other’s pain and loss. I am similarly amazed at the pouring out of support for the first responders who have to see these tragedies and deal with immediately, without letting their emotions get the best of them. They truly are heroes….
As some people have voiced, the younger drivers believe they can control a vehicle with greater ability than their current skill sets. Please, please younger drivers, this is a proven fact that you are not able to. Many have said there is nothing worse in this world than a parent having to bury their children over a senseless tragedy. Take your time and be careful while driving and living your youthful lives. We as parents, kind of want you around for a long time, despite our differences of opinions sometimes…
Unfortunately, on the other side, it appears some people are assuming and posting their thoughts of a cause for the horrific crash already. Even the media is quick to jump in and seek information on the facts, focusing on speed, alcohol, drugs and or driver error. Yes the press has the duty to report the news, and yes we have the First Amendment right to free speech. But come on people, to assume so early since the victims were young, they were speeding is so incomprehensible for mature educated adults. In my many years of law enforcement and investigating these types of collisions, we see it all to often, yet it’s true these are primarily the causes. Once again, as in the case of the Deputy who was recently killed in a crash, many chimed in way too early on the Deputy speeding, when that wasn’t the case. As quoted from the press release:
“An exact cause of the crash remains under investigation…”
With that being said, can’t we try to be a little more sensitive to the families, let them grieve, mourn and attempt to move on before we begin to accuse someone of speeding that killed obviously their close friends?
Let the Troopers from the Maryland State Police Crash Team conduct their investigation, and try to determine what happened. Maybe a throttle stuck, maybe the driver fell asleep awoke and panicked, hitting the gas instead of brake, so many other things could have caused this…..
Please People pray for the families and responders now and lets wait to start pointing fingers or gossiping……
May all Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving…
God’s Peace to all….
What you might want to realize is that this is the internet and pretty much anything goes. You have to have thick skin and not let the other posts bother you. For the most part you will never change another person’s mind.
The kids were reckless and it effected many people’s lives. Don’t lecture me on how I should post, what I shouldn’t assume and when I should chime in. That doesn’t work on free thinking individuals.
You’re asking people to pray. How can you ‘assume’ that they are religious based on your beliefs?
My thoughts are with the families effected, Happy Thanksgiving!
Just an observation, since you are questioning folks who are citing “extreme speed” – it does not take a trained investigator to know that this car was going way too fast. A car does not explode into multiple pieces if it is only going 60 MPH. Is this a tragedy? Absolutely. But speed definitely played a factor, some way, somehow.
Other people have made very reasoned comments here, that I would second. To the young drivers out there, SLOW DOWN. Look what happened in Glen Burnie on Sunday – another young driver, going too fast and in that incident and passing on a double yellow line, caused another tragedy with multiple lives lost.
Condolences to the friends and families who have lost their loved ones way too soon and way too young.
Yes, I agree with most of what you are saying, but please read my response to Mr. Jacobs, well part of it. I am a trained investigator and circumstances may reveal a speed of 60 mph or less, or more. The vehicle left the road sideways apparently and catapulted over the guardrail and spun several times. I agree a violent crash…but my point is to please talk to our kids and make them aware of the dangers of speeding and not assume until we know all the facts. I certainly instill it all the time in my family, kids and Grandchildren….who have not yet reached the driving age….but still…. You seem like a decent person, take care please…
Godspeed…
Cars, especially modern cars, do not disintegrate on impact without extreme speeds being involved. Whether or not alcohol, drugs, driver fell asleep, cell phone call, texting, etc was involved or not (and I haven’t heard anything to indicate any of those were a factor) there is no doubt that the vehicle was driving way too fast for that road and probably was driving way too fast for I-95 given the condition of the vehicle. The only question about the speed is what number it’ll end up being. I’ll be surprised if it isn’t a 3 digit number (or at least close to it.) They had to use a crane to pick individual pieces of the car out of the ravine. It didn’t just split in half.
Everyone needs to slow down to help prevent senseless deaths like these. Roads have speed limits for a reason.
My condolences to the family, surviving occupants, and all fire/medical/law enforcement personnel who responded to this horrific scene.
Mr. Jacobs,
Thank you for your insightful response. What is ironic is that you state that I am lecturing you or everyone via my post, and you are doing basically the same exact thing in your first three sentences, Sir. Moreover, if you had read my words carefully you would realize as a “ free thinking adult” I was politely asking everyone who read it to stop and say a prayer for the people involved. Within this text, and any other of my posts I have never forced or suggested that anyone take my faith or beliefs. A prayer could be different to any religious belief, or even as simple as a comment or thought, “Oh my God, I feel so bad for them”, or similar comment. A prayer is something designed to show compassion, and faith, whatever it may be. So consequently I am not in any fashion lecturing you how to post. Again as a, “free thinking individual”, did you miss the sentence in my post regarding the First Amendment? Again, I am just asking the persons who mind is closed to open it or give some time for the suffering to subside some and healing begin, before they begin assigning fault and blaming someone. Check my history on here if you will, and you will find the lack or personal assaults on character or any of the other distasteful postings that occur on, “this internet, where pretty much anything goes.”
“The kids were reckless and it effected many people’s lives.”
Well Mr. Jacobs, it appears you are ASSUMING facts that aren’t evidence yet. Please allow me to explain a few things to you.
In my nearly 3 and ½ years of being involved in law enforcement and EMS/ Fire Service as a volunteer, I have been exposed to these type incidents way too often. How many time have you crawled into a wrecked vehicle, or a vehicle on fire to rescue someone? How many fatal collisions have you investigated? I have been to hundreds or more, from both sides…Law Enforcement and Rescue / EMS
Are you aware that when a vehicle leaves the roadway, it often gains speed? Mr. Shipley from MSP reports it appears the vehicle catapulted off the guardrail. Were you aware that the vehicle struck several trees that might have changed the direction, and speed? Were you aware if a vehicle that is airborne and it strikes a solid object, like a tree sideways it will split apart? Happens too often! Unibody construction…
“Investigators believe the vehicle turned sideways, went up onto the top of a guardrail and became airborne,” Greg Shipley, spokesman for the Maryland State Police, said Monday. “Then it struck several small trees before…it struck the large tree, and that’s when it came apart; the rear [of the car] remained in the tree.”
Police said that the other half of the vehicle was found in a ravine.
So Mr. Jacobs, get your thick skin and thinking cap on and please stop ASSUMING for all others…
Have a Blessed Day Mr. Jacobs.
Try as you must impressing us with your credentials, you could be a sheep herder in Nepal for all we know.
**** Another typing mistake, sorry, it should read 3 1/2 decades of public safety service…
my apologies to all…
Have a Blessed Day
Mr. Jacobs,
You need help….
Mr. Jacobs,
I agree with Watching from the side. And no I have no reason to lie regarding my experiences. Good luck to you, you may need it.
God Bless
‘Watching from the Side’ and ‘KNOWTHETRUTH’ are actually one in the same person.
You know I know.
Herp, derp……
Mr. Jacobs,
I have no Earthly reason to be praport myself as someone else on here. I have no clue whatsoever who that is. “This is the internet, anything goes”, as a matter of fact, it may even be you mocking me. You have been known to attempt to aggitate posters here, true? I think so.
You Take Care and God Bless you
praport?
***** PURPORT**** A Typo…sorry, I’m not perfect as some claim to be. And this is your only reply, well good, maybe it is starting to make sense to you. Have a great Holiday, you and your family.
God Bless You
I’ve been on many fatal MVA’s and never saw a tow truck have to bring an extra trailer to tow the pieces away.
So. What was the cause of the accident, high speed?