Rush-hour drivers on westbound U.S. Route 50 near the MD-665 overpass just east of I-97 ran into serious trouble Thursday evening when a major crash brought traffic to a crawl and drew a multi-helicopter medevac response. At least one person was flown to the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, and ramps and lanes were temporarily shut down so aircraft could land. Westbound commuters were left sitting in heavy delays while first responders worked to manage the scene and remove wreckage.
Sky 11 helicopter video captured the aftermath from above, and Sky 11 captain Roy Taylor told WBAL-TV that at least three medevac helicopters responded. He said Route 50 was closed in both directions while the aircraft were on the ground. According to WBAL, eastbound lanes later reopened, but westbound traffic stayed clogged. The station also cited a Maryland Department of Transportation spokesman who said ramps from Route 50 to I-97 were closed because of the crash.
What medevac calls often mean
Multiple helicopter transports and a Shock Trauma destination typically signal potentially life-threatening injuries that need rapid, hospital-level care. The R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center operates a physician-led "Go-Team" and helipad resuscitation capabilities as part of Maryland’s integrated trauma system, according to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. That setup is why critically injured crash victims from across the region are routinely flown into Baltimore for immediate surgical and intensive care.
Traffic impacts and alternate routes
Drivers can plan on major backups on westbound Route 50 lingering into the evening; WBAL-TV reported heavy delays and warned that congestion would likely continue while crews wrap up their work. Even brief closures on this corridor often trigger multi-mile jams, so local officials typically suggest using alternate routes through Annapolis while cleanup and investigations are underway. Travelers can turn to live traffic maps from local stations and state traffic pages for up-to-the-minute detour options.
Authorities have not yet released further information about what caused the crash or the condition of anyone else involved. Maryland State Police or county crash investigators generally provide more details after on-scene reconstruction and family notifications are complete. We will keep an eye on official updates and revise this story as new information becomes available.
