What started as a routine Monday afternoon errand trip to the Frederick Shopping Center ended in tragedy, as 74-year-old Ann Christine Andrex was struck by a car while crossing the roadway near the Staples entrance. She was flown to the University of Maryland R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore and died the following day. In the days since, a small memorial of flowers, handwritten notes and artwork has grown outside the store, as friends, neighbors and family quietly share memories.
Crash And Emergency Response
Shortly after 3:30 p.m. Monday, at about 3:37 p.m., officers and Frederick County Division of Fire Rescue crews were called to the Frederick Shopping Center at 1305 W 7th Street, where a 2013 Toyota Camry had struck a pedestrian, according to the City of Frederick. The city identified the pedestrian as Andrex, 74.
Officials said the driver of the Camry stayed at the scene and was not injured. According to the department release, Andrex was transported by air to Shock Trauma in Baltimore, where she later died from her injuries.
Friends And Family Remember Andrex
In the wake of the crash, the entrance to Staples has turned into a makeshift memorial. Friends, family members, and neighbors have been leaving bouquets, cards, and drawings in her honor and sharing stories online, as reported by Daily Voice.
Her daughter wrote on Facebook, "Please send a loving thought," while relatives described Andrex as deeply devoted to her children and grandchildren. Longtime acquaintances recalled the pottery she created, her ties to cohousing at Liberty Village, and church connections that stretched back decades. For many, that shopping-center entrance has become the place to say goodbye.
Crash Investigation Underway
The Frederick Police Department's Crash Reconstruction Team has taken over the investigation and warned that the process could take weeks to months to complete, according to the City of Frederick. The detailed reconstruction will examine factors such as vehicle movement, sight lines, and timing at the moment of impact.
Investigators are asking anyone who saw the collision and has not yet spoken with officers to contact MPO Ross at (240) 344-9731. Authorities said no charges have been announced at this stage and the investigation remains active.
What This Means For Pedestrian Safety
Maryland tracks pedestrian fatalities and other crash trends through its ZeroDeathsMD program, which state officials use to shape safety campaigns and infrastructure improvements, according to ZeroDeathsMD. Locally, the City of Frederick has flagged higher-risk corridors and potential Safe Streets projects in planning materials, as outlined in the Focus Frederick story map.
Transportation planners note that the mix of cars and people on foot in shopping-center drive aisles can heighten the risk for pedestrians, especially in busy parking lots where drivers may be focused more on finding a spot than scanning for crosswalks. Officials continue to ask anyone with information about the crash near Staples to contact the Frederick Police Department. Updates are expected as the reconstruction team finishes its work, while neighbors keep leaving tributes at the shopping center entrance in memory of Andrex.
