A deadly three-vehicle crash on the southbound Baltimore–Washington Parkway early Sunday killed one person, injured three others, and shut down traffic near Greenbelt Road during the morning rush, U.S. Park Police said. The collision closed the southbound lanes near Powder Mill Road and triggered significant backups for commuters heading toward D.C.
Officers responding to the scene found a driver who had been ejected from one of the vehicles, according to DC News Now. A Park Police helicopter flew that driver to a hospital with life‑threatening injuries. Officials later said the ejected driver died at the hospital. The crash involved three vehicles, and emergency crews transported several other people to area hospitals.
Investigators and response
United States Park Police investigators stayed on scene while firefighters and medics treated the injured and worked to clear the wreckage. The Park Police's District Four office, which covers the Baltimore–Washington Parkway corridor into Prince George’s County, handles incidents on that stretch of roadway, according to the United States Park Police.
Commuter impacts and context
The Baltimore–Washington Parkway is a key commuter artery, and even short closures can cause traffic to unravel across the region. This one landed squarely in the morning commute, backing up drivers for miles. It is hardly the first serious wreck to paralyze the route. Previous crashes have forced multi‑hour shutdowns, including a deadly collision that stalled southbound traffic last year, as reported by The Washington Post. Drivers on Sunday were urged to take alternate routes while crews worked the scene.
Police have not released the identity of the person who died, and investigators are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact the Park Police tipline, according to DC News Now. The Park Police website lists non‑emergency and tipline contact numbers for people who want to share information with investigators, per the United States Park Police.
Authorities have not yet released a cause for the collision. The Park Police said a crash‑reconstruction team will examine the scene, and officials are expected to provide additional details as the investigation continues.
