BALTIMORE — Maryland State Police have confirmed at least six highway workers were killed in a crash on Interstate 695 in Baltimore County on Wednesday afternoon.
Around 12:40 p.m., state troopers responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash involving pedestrians in a work zone at the inner loop of I-695 at Security Boulevard.
The six people killed have been identified as:
- Rolando Ruiz, 46, of Laurel
- Carlos Orlando Villatoro Escobar, 43, of Frederick
- Jose Armando Escobar, 52, of Frederick
- Mahlon Simmons III, 31, of Union Bridge
- Mahlon Simmons II, 52, of Union Bridge
- Sybil Lee Dimaggio, 46, of Glen Burnie
Initial investigation reveals that the driver of an Acura, later identified as Lisa Adrienna Lea, 54, of Randallstown, was traveling down the road when she attempted to change lanes and struck the front corner panel on the passenger side of a Volkswagen.
This is when investigators say Lea lost control of her car and entered the work zone traveling in between temporary dividing walls, striking multiple construction workers before overturning and coming to a stop.
Lea was taken to a local trauma center where she is currently receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the crash. Lea was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Police claim the second vehicle involved in the deadly collision was a Volkswagen. The driver has since been identified as Melachi Brown, 20, of Windsor Mill.
Detectives say Brown's car stopped north of the scene on I-695 where his car became disabled. He did not report any injuries.
Emergency medical service personnel pronounced six people dead at the scene. Their identities have not yet been released but will be once next of kin is notified.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team is investigating why this happened. Personnel from the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration are on scene assisting with detours and road closures.
The Baltimore Beltway closed in both directions immediately following the crash.
As of 4:16 p.m., police say the inner loop and outer loop of I-695 partially reopened between Security Boulevard and Windsor Mill Road.
Anyone traveling in the area is asked to seek an alternate route and to expect significant delays.
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