State Police Investigating Four Fatal Crashes That Claimed Seven Lives Over the Weekend in Maryland
(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police are investigating four fatal crashes that claimed seven lives over the weekend in Maryland.
Around 2:14 a.m. on Saturday, August 29, troopers from the Maryland State Police Westminster Barrack responded to northbound Maryland Route 91 (Emory Road) before Hollingsworth Road for a report of a single-vehicle crash. The preliminary investigation indicates that a Volkswagen Jetta traveled off the roadway and struck an embankment.
The driver of the Volkswagen, identified as Garrett Reid Luber, 21, of Hampstead, Maryland, was pronounced deceased on the scene. Police believe impairment may have been a factor in the crash.
Later that night, at around 6:46 p.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police Rockville Barrack responded to the area of southbound I-270 just south of Democracy Boulevard for a report of a two-vehicle crash. The preliminary investigation indicates that a Ford Mustang was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of I-270 when it struck a Toyota Camry head-on.
The deceased are identified as Musammat Shamima Begum, 46, and Areebah Jahin, 23, of Burke and Alexandria, Virginia. Begum and Jahin were mother and daughter and were passengers in the Toyota. The driver and a juvenile passenger of the Toyota, a 62-year-old male and an 8-year-old female, were transported by ambulance to local hospitals for treatment of their injuries. The driver and sole occupant of the Ford, identified as Jose Caballero Nolasco, 32, of Germantown, Maryland, was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Police believe impairment may have been a factor in the crash. FULL RELEASE.
On Sunday, August 30, at approximately 4:14 a.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police Bel Air Barrack responded to Maryland Route 152 and Maryland Route 147 for a report of a two-vehicle crash. The preliminary investigation indicates that a Toyota 4Runner was traveling south on Route 147 when it ran the red light and struck the front passenger side of a Volkswagen Jetta that was traveling north on Route 152.
The driver of the Volkswagen, identified as Christopher Larry Grimsley, 40, was pronounced deceased on the scene. The driver of the Toyota, identified as Todd Dunaway, 27, was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Police believe impairment may have been a factor in the crash.
Several hours later, at around 12:59 p.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police Cumberland Barrack responded to eastbound I-68 at Maryland Route 36 for a report of a two-vehicle crash. The preliminary investigation indicates a Subaru Forester was traveling westbound on I-68 when, for unknown reasons, crossed the grass median and entered the eastbound lanes, where it crashed head-on into a Volkswagen Tiguan.
The operator of the Subaru, identified as John Welin, 79, of Roscoe, Illinois, and a passenger in the Subaru, identified as Karen Berneck, 81, also of Roscoe, Illinois, were pronounced deceased. A passenger in the Volkswagen, identified as Thomas Stevao, 25, of Centreville, Virginia, was also pronounced deceased on the scene.
The driver of the Volkswagen, identified as Patrick Kaczmarek, 25, of Clifton, Virginia, was flown by Maryland State Police Aviation Command to a local trauma center for treatment of his injuries. Another passenger in the Volkswagen, identified as Jacqueline Durham, 25, of Clifton, Virginia, was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team continues to lead the active and ongoing investigations.
Maryland State Police urges all motorists to make safe choices behind the wheel. Never drive distracted, aggressive, at excessive speeds, or impaired – one decision can change or save a life. Make the responsible choice.
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