At 10:50 a.m. today, a three vehicle crash occurred on Maryland Rt. 231 (Hallowing Point Road) at Hallowing Lane, Prince Frederick.
Investigation revealed that a 2002 Dodge Neon was stopped on west bound MD Rt. 231 preparing to make a left turn onto Hallowing Lane. A 2004 Toyota Corolla operated by Sallie N. Harding, 60 of Hollywood, was also traveling west.
Ms. Harding failed to see the Dodge in time to avoid it and ran into its rear. The impact pushed the Dodge Neon across the center line and into the eastbound lane of MD Rt. 231.
At this exact same time, a 1998 Mack truck-tractor pulling a loaded Lufkin semi-trailer ran over the Dodge Neon. The Dodge Neon became trapped under the truck-tractor. The truck tractor/semi-trailer with the trapped Dodge slid across the eastbound lane, onto the right shoulder, onto a large parking lot, struck a concrete island with three viable fuel pumps (two were destroyed).
The Dodge Neon remained wedged under the truck-tractor as both sets of vehicles slid to a final rest. A fire erupted seconds after.
The truck driver, Stephen O. Dixon, 67 of Mechanicsville, was able to exit the truck before it was engulfed in flames.
The sole occupant of the Dodge Neon could not be accessed by law enforcement or emergency medical responders due to the fire and extensive damage to the Dodge.
Ms. Harding was able to bring her vehicle to a controlled stop on the westbound shoulder of MD Rt. 231.
Ms. Harding was evaluated at the scene and refused treatment. Mr. Dixon was transported to the Calvert Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released.
The occupant of the Dodge Neon did not survive. She has been tentatively identified at Erica D. Weems, 36 of St. Leonard. Every indication is that Ms. Weems was driving the Dodge. Her family has been notified.
There were no passengers in any of the vehicles.
MD Rt. 231 was closed, east and west, until 2:25 p.m. to facilitate the investigation and to protect the crime scene.
Numerous members of both the Maryland State Police (Barrack “U”) and the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responded to control the scene and assist in the investigation. Personnel from the Maryland State Police’s Crash Team and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division also responded to conduct further inquiries/investigation into this tragic crash.
Personnel from the following Fire Departments and/or Rescue Squads also responded and were instrumental in controlling the fire and maintaining overall safety of the crime scene: Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department, Prince Frederick Volunteer Rescue Squad, Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad and the Benedict Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad.
The two fuel pumps which were damaged by this crash were the property of the Thirsty Badger convenience store (6654 Hallowing Point Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678). These fuel pumps did not rupture, no fuel from these destroyed pumps was spilled and the manager activated the emergency cut off for these pumps seconds after the crash.
