Six dead as car rips through construction zone on Baltimore Beltway (Video)
Victims of Baltimore Beltway Work Zone Crash Identified
(Updated March 24, 2023) On March 23, the Maryland State Police identified the six highway workers involved in the fatal pedestrian crash that occurred on Interstate 695. Emergency medical personnel from the Baltimore County Fire Department pronounced six contractual highway workers deceased on the scene. The victims 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
Lisa Adrienne Lea, 54, of Randallstown remains at Shock Trauma where she is currently receiving medical treatment. Lea was the driver and sole occupant of a 2017 Acura TLX involved in the crash.
Melachi Brown, 20, of Windsor Mill was uninjured in the crash. He was the driver of a 2017 Volkswagen, the second vehicle involved in the crash. Brown stopped his vehicle north of the scene on I-695 where his vehicle became disabled. Once the investigation is complete, the Crash Team will submit its findings to the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for review to determine whether charges will be filed.
For more on those that lost their lives in that tragic Baltimore Beltway work zone crash, see the video below.
(original article from March 23 appears below in its entirety)
The  I-695 Beltway in Baltimore County was shut down for hours yesterday after a two-vehicle car crash caused one of those vehicles to tear through a construction zone and then flip in the area between Windsor Mill and Dogwood Roads. Six people lost their lives as a result of that tragic crash.
According to the Maryland State Police, at about 12:40 p.m. on March 22, troopers responded to a report of a pedestrian crash in a work zone at the inner loop of I-695 at Security Boulevard. Their preliminary investigation stated that for reasons unknown at the time, a grey Acura entered the work zone traveling inbetween temporary placed jersey walls, striking multiple construction workers before overturning.
The driver of a that Acura was transported from the scene by ground to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center for medical treatment. Emergency medical service personnel pronounced six people dead at the scene. The deceased were all construction road workers. Identities of the deceased are pending next of kin notification.
Later in the day yesterday, police identified the driver of the Acura as 54-year-old Lisa Adrienna Lea, of Randallstown, Maryland. Lea was transported to Shock Trauma where she is currently receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the crash. Lea was the sole occupant of the Acura.
The second vehicle involved in the crash was a Volkswagen. The driver has been identified as Melachi Brown, 20, of Windsor Mill. Brown stopped his vehicle north of the scene on I-695 where his vehicle became disabled. Brown did not report receiving any injuries.
The identities of the six deceased victims are still pending next of kin notifications. At this point, any charges to be brought forth are pending the outcome of the investigation and consultation with the Baltimore County State’s Attorney.
Maryland State Police reported that their preliminary investigation now indicates that the driver of the Acura, Lisa Adrienna Lea, was traveling in lane 2 at about 12:40 p.m. yesterday when she attempted to change lanes. As Lea attempted to move into lane 1, police believe her vehicle struck the front corner panel on the passenger side of the Volkswagen. Crash Team investigators believe this caused the Acura to lose control and subsequently travel into the work zone.
Anyone with information relevant to the crash is asked to call the Maryland State Police Golden Ring Barrack at 410-780-2700. Police say that the crash is still under investigation.
For more on this tragic story, see the video accompanying this article.
(Source: Maryland State Police) / (Cover photo, Image credit: YouTube)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
