Man dies, children injured in chain-reaction crash on 495
7/7/11 11:28 PM
http://www.wjla.com/articles/2011/07/outer-loop-of-495-in-beltsville-closed-after-crash-63349.html
A chain-reaction crash on the outer loop of I-495 is closed in Beltsville killed one person and sent four others to the hospital, including two young girls.
Police say a man was changing a tire on the left shoulder below the flyover ramp to I-95 around 6 p.m. Another car stopped behind him to help.
Then, a third car veered out of its lane and crashed into the two cars from behind. The crash led to a chain reaction collision that caused a car to catch fire.
The oncoming car crushed the man changing his tire between the two standing cars, then burst into flames.
Fire officials say the 27-year-old man was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. He later died.
Four people were taken to area hospitals, including two girls under the age of 8.
Emergency medical personnel transported two other adults and two young children to area hospitals with serious, but non-life threatening injuries.
Maryland State Police is investigating. “Anybody that happened to witness this we would certainly like to speak with,” said Russell Newell of the Maryland State Police.
Commuters were shocked at the news. “Anything can happen. It just makes you appreciate life,” said Emmanuel Nicholas of Silver Spring.
“That's really sad really, I feel sorry for the family,” said Adelphi resident Abu Kamala.
Attachments: