At 1:51 a.m. March 31, Richard Brendan Griffin, 23, of Pomfret, was driving a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am was traveling north on Turkey Hill Road, about a half-mile north of Crain Highway, at a high rate of speed, when he lost control of the vehicle and it left the roadway and struck a large tree, Charles County Sheriff’s Office reports.

A passenger, Brian Jeremy Miller, 23, of Pomfret, was ejected from the vehicle.

After the crash, Griffin went to a nearby friend’s house to call for assistance and returned to the scene while officers were investigating.

Miller was pronounced dead at the scene.

Griffin was flown by a Maryland State Police helicopter to Prince George’s General Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Alcohol appears to be a factor, police say, in addition to speed.

Both the driver and passenger appear to have been wearing their seatbelts.

A portion of Turkey Hill Road was closed after the crash until about 6:30 a.m.

Officer R. Glover of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Operations Unit is investigating.

 
After striking a tree, the vehcile split in two. La Plata Volunteer Fire Department photos —www.laplatafiredepartment.com