Fatal Accidents in Charles County


LA PLATA, Md. (March 23, 2010)—Three fatal accidents were reported in Charles County in recent weeks.

PEDESTRIAN KILLED BY TRUCK IN WALDORF: On March 19, troopers responded to US Route 301 north of Substation Road for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. The investigation revealed the pedestrian attempted to cross the northbound lanes of US Route 301 when he was struck by a 1992 Ford F-250 pickup truck. The driver of the truck, Piers Oliver Heriz-Smith, 40, of Waldorf, remained on the scene. There was no evidence of intoxication for Heriz-Smith. The pedestrian was transported to Southern Maryland Hospital where he succumbed of his injuries. The pedestrian was identified as Christopher Shawn Sydnor, 50, of Waldorf. This accident was investigated by Trooper Zinn.

TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT RESULTS IN ONE DEATH: On March 7, troopers responded to southbound Maryland Route 5 at Billingsley Road for a serious personal injury accident. The investigation revealed a white 2006 Dodge Ram and a tan 2003 Toyota Corolla had collided. The cause of the accident could not be determined at the time of the accident. Thomas Dehetre, 61, or Waldorf; Susan Dehetre, 61, of Waldorf; and Audrey Adams, 81, of Waldorf; all occupants of the Corolla, were transported to Civista Medical Center. Ms. Adams was pronounced deceased at 1534 hours by Dr. D. Thompson. Thomas Dehetre and Susan Dehetre were treated and released. John Andrew Lewis, 56, of Hughesville, the sole occupant of the Dodge truck, received no injuries.

SINGLE VEHICLE RESULT IN PASSENGER DEATH: On January 23, a 1994 Ford Ranger operated by Slater Daniel Keyes, 30, of La Plata, was traveling westbound on Maryland Route 225 at Ripley Park Drive in La Plata. The vehicle traveled off the road striking a street sign and a Verizon pole. The passenger was transported to Civista Medical Center. On January 25, the passenger, Jennifer Lockrane Taylor, 37, of La Plata, succumbed to internal injuries sustained in the motor vehicle accident. Keyes was not injured in the accident.

All three accidents were investigated by the Maryland State Police, La Plata Barrack.

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