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TWO TEENS KILLED IN LATE
NIGHT HOWARD COUNTY CRASH |
| Jessup
-- I-95 in Howard County, that left two teenagers dead, and two other people at area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. The victims are identified as Theresa E. Howard, 18, of the 1300-block of Walkabout Court, Sykesville, Maryland; and Scott E. Caplan, 19, of the 11000-block of New Country Lane, Columbia, Maryland. Both were pronounced dead at the scene by a forensic examiner. Their bodies were taken to the Office of the State Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy. The injured are identified as Meghan E. St. Martin, 18, of the 1200-block of Wild Rose Court, Marriottsville, Maryland; and Amanda L. Bergdoll, 20, of Augusta, West Virginia. St. Martin was taken by ambulance to Shock Trauma with non-life threatening injuries. Bergdoll was taken by ambulance to Howard County General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Last night, shortly before 11:00 p.m., troopers from the Waterloo Barrack were dispatched to a vehicle crash involving a passenger vehicle and tractor-trailer, on westbound Route 175 at the ramp from southbound I-95. Preliminary investigation reveals that the tractor- trailer was being driven on the ramp from southbound I-95 to Route 175, when the driver approached the intersection, facing a non-functioning traffic signal. St. Martin was operating a black 1996 Volvo passenger vehicle west on Route 175. The Volvo traveled through the intersection and was struck broadside by the tractor-trailer. Both vehicles traveled several feet, impacted a guardrail, and came to a rest down the grassy embankment. Howard was seated on the right-front passenger side in the Volvo. Caplan was seated on the right-rear passenger side. Bergdoll was a front seat passenger in the tractor-trailer. The truck, which was not loaded, is owned by Eugene Snyder and Sons of Winchester, Virginia. The driver, Gary L. Dicks Jr., 23, of Stephens City, Virginia, was not injured in the crash. Members of the State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section responded to the scene to conduct a preliminary analysis. Both vehicles were subsequently stored for post-crash investigation purposes. Personnel from the State Highway Administration were notified of the outage prior to the crash, and had dispatched a representative to assess the situation. The ramp from southbound I-95 to eastbound Route 175 is expected to be closed for several hours until repairs are completed. Officers from the Howard County Police Department also responded to assist. The investigation is being conducted by members of the State Police Crash Team. They are being assisted by Waterloo Barrack personnel. No charges have been filed. Investigators will forward their findings to the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office for review. Investigators do not believe alcohol is a contributing factor. This investigation is continuing… |