Two people died and three more were injured on Monday, November 13, when a tractor-trailer overturned on top of another vehicle in Frederick County.
According to Maryland State Police, the tractor-trailer was traveling on Route 75 near the intersection of Ed McClain Road just south of New Market when the accident occurred.
Apparently the driver, Watson Pierre of Florida, lost control of the truck, which could not quite maneuver a turn and tipped over on top of a pickup truck around 2:00 p.m.
Two of the occupants of the pickup truck were declared dead at the scene of the accident. They have since been identified as Jose Diaz of Derwood and Hector Hernriquez of Gaithersburg.
A third passenger in the pickup truck was flown to Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore with serious injuries. This person’s identity and condition have not been released.
Pierre was also taken to Shock Trauma Center, his injuries required travel via helicopter. His passenger and codriver, Erochenel Bernadin, was also rushed to a hospital for treatment of injuries.
A preliminary investigation into the accident showed that the brake system on the tractor-trailer, which was carrying a load of fruit, was inadequate. The truck was equipped with 10 brakes, but according to a vehicle inspection that was performed shortly after the crash, police say that at least three of those brakes were inoperable at the time of the accident. Another three brakes were not working properly and were inadequately adjusted.
In addition to the brake issues, police allege that the codriver falsified his logbook and that Pierre did not have the required logbook at all. Apportionment fees allowing the truck to travel through Maryland had not been paid either.
So far, police have charged Pierre with two counts of criminally negligent homicide and for failure to control speed of the truck.
We offer our condolences to the families impacted in this tragic accident.