(Bryantown, MD) – Maryland State troopers are continuing their investigation into an early morning crash on Route 5, north of Bryantown Road in Charles County, that left a highway worker dead, a co-worker with serious injuries, and three others with minor injuries.    

                The victim is identified as Jennifer M. Martz, 31, of the unit-block of South Main Street, Boonsboro, Maryland.  She was pronounced dead at the scene by a forensic examiner.  Her body was subsequently taken to the Office of the State Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.

                The injured are identified as Adam J. Howell, 20, of the unit-block of Cumberlain Court, Frederick, Maryland;  Ubaida A. Sims, 33, of the 29000-block of Point Lookout Road, Morganza, Maryland;  James R. Maguire, 43, of the 27000-block of Bosse Drive, Mechansville, Maryland; and

Paul E. Tolson, 40, of the 20000-block of Jo Marie Way, Callaway, Maryland.  All were taken by ambulance to Civista Medical Center in Waldorf with non-life threatening injuries.

.               Preliminary investigation reveals that shortly after 5:00 a.m., Martz and Howell had exited a red 1994 Ford truck to remove highway construction warning signs placed along the roadside.  They were both employees of CHS Traffic Control, Inc., based in Frederick, Maryland. 

Martz was in the process of carrying a sign across the left northbound lane, when she was struck by a white 1998 Ford Expedition SUV, being driven in the same lane by Sims.  He immediately stopped his vehicle on the center median after realizing a person had been struck and started to back up. 

                Howell ran to Martz after she was struck in an attempt to render aid.  In doing so, both were struck by a red 1996 Ford Escort being driven by Maguire.  Martz’s body was dragged several feet, and Howell was subsequently pinned between the vehicle and guardrail.  Moments  later, a gray 1999 Ford Contour driven by Tolson, rear-ended the Escort.  Martz and Howell were both wearing orange safety reflective vests.

                All vehicles were towed from the scene and stored for post-crash investigation purposes.

Traffic on northbound Route 5 was detoured at Bryantown Road by State Highway Administration personnel.  Motorists were directed to  Doctor Samuel Mudd Road to Poplar Hill Road and back to Route 5.  Traffic was clogged for several miles until all lanes were cleared shortly after 10:00 a.m.  Fire/Rescue personnel from Hughesville and Waldorf responded to assist with the crash.  Deputies from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office also assisted. 

The investigation is being conducted by troopers from the LaPlata Barrack and the State Police Crash Team.  They will forward their findings to the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.  No charges have been filed.  This investigation is continuing…