Forest Hill man dies in three-car collision in Creswell, Maryland

Maryland State Police are investigating a three-car collision in Creswell that happened last week that left one man dead. Police did not report on the condition of the driver of the third vehicle involved in the crash. The early morning multi-vehicle accident occurred on Route 543, which is fast becoming the deadliest highways in the county, if not the state, according to Maryland State Police. In fact police are stepping up law enforcement efforts along a stretch of Route 543 from Bel Air to Interstate 95.

Police reported there were seven fatal crashes on Harford roads last month and this latest crash appears to have occurred under similar circumstances to a crash that happened a few weeks ago. In that accident, three people died, all of which were siblings.

According to police reports, in this latest crash a 52-year-old man was driving north on Route 543 when he crossed the center line and collided with a southbound vehicle being driven by a 62 year-old man. The first vehicle then crashed head-on into a third southbound vehicle driven by 53-year old man who was air-lifted to the hospital where he later died.

At-the-scene interviews and statements indicate that the initial driver may have fallen asleep, causing his vehicle to cross the center line and veer directly into oncoming traffic. Police are investigating and using accident reconstruction personnel to determine what caused the accident and whether any possible charges should be issued.

The family members of the driver in the third vehicle may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the seemingly negligent driver. A wrongful death lawsuit would allow the family to obtain financial compensation for their loss, whether they are lost wages, medical and funeral expenses, or pain and suffering.

In 2010, the Harford County Sheriff’s Department collaborated with the Maryland State Police to identify high crash areas and several area police departments are currently working together to reduce the number of crashes through highly-publicized traffic enforcement efforts.

Source: Baltimore Sun, “Forest Hill man killed in three-car crash in Creswell Friday morning,” March 6, 2012