A Sunday afternoon drive through Upper Marlboro turned into a traffic nightmare when a crash involving a tanker truck at Crain Highway and Old Central Avenue left a teenager ejected from a vehicle and three people in the hospital. The collision, reported shortly after 2:15 p.m., forced the shutdown of all southbound lanes while first responders worked to stabilize victims and clear the scene.
Prince George’s County Fire/EMS said three people were transported to local hospitals: the ejected teen in critical condition, another person with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and a third individual taken in for evaluation, according to AOL. Authorities have not yet released the names of those injured or disclosed what the tanker was carrying.
Hazmat response and road closures
Hazmat crews were called in to secure the tanker’s contents while firefighters and medics managed the wreckage and treated the injured. All southbound lanes of Crain Highway were shut down as a precaution, with first responders setting up detours and keeping drivers well away from the scene while they checked for any leaks or spills, per AOL. Motorists were urged to steer clear of the area until the road could be safely reopened.
Investigation and local context
Maryland State Police are leading the investigation and are working to determine whether speed, driver error or a mechanical problem contributed to the crash, according to DC News Now. Crain Highway (U.S. Route 301) is a heavily traveled corridor that has seen its share of serious wrecks; background on the route is available at Everything Explained. Officials warned that cleanup and any necessary reconstruction work could keep lanes closed for several hours.
Authorities have not released additional details about what led up to the collision or updated the conditions of those hurt. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information is asked to contact Maryland State Police. This story will be updated as agencies provide more information and once all lanes reopen.
