Last night, a pedestrian was struck and killed in a tragic incident on Baltimore Boulevard in Carroll County. The Maryland State Police have identified the victim as David Comer, a 53-year-old from Westminster, Maryland. According to a statement released by the Maryland State Police, emergency medical services pronounced Comer deceased at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle, a 2014 Kia Optima, was 18-year-old Bridget Dautermann from Westminster. Dautermann was reported to have remained on the scene and did not sustain injuries in the crash. The investigation by the state police details that two pedestrians were attempting to quickly cross Baltimore Boulevard before the crash occurred. David Comer was tragically hit by the vehicle after entering the roadway.
Following the crash, an assault was reported. Zachary Comer, identified as the son of the victim and also a pedestrian involved in the incident, allegedly assaulted Edgar Herrera, the front-seat passenger of the Kia Optima. Both Zachary Comer and Herrera were taken to the hospital, with Herrera needing treatment for his injuries. Charges against Zachary Comer are pending, as the investigation into the events that unfolded is still ongoing.
For roughly three hours, the crash prompted the closure of all lanes on Baltimore Boulevard. Support was provided at the scene by personnel from the Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration, and local authorities, including officers from the Westminster Police Department and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team continues to lead the investigation to meticulously piece together the events leading up to and following the fatal collision.
