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Two multiple-vehicle crashes along the Inner Loop of the Capital Beltway in Maryland left one person dead and at least five others injured on Thursday, July 18. An overnight crash followed by a morning commute accident closed portions of the Beltway and caused long traffic delays.
The first Maryland auto accident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 18 and involved two motorcycles and two cars. The chain-reaction crash took place near the Branch Avenue exit in Prince George’s County. Both motorcyclists were ejected from their bikes, according to Maryland State Police.
One of the riders, identified as Marshall Omar Cooper of Lothian, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The other motorcyclist was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, and the condition of the others involved in the crash was not immediately known. Police are still investigating the cause of the fatal Maryland motorcycle crash, and it is not yet known if alcohol or speed were factors.
Maryland State Police closed the Inner Loop of the Beltway for several hours following the fatal accident. It reopened around 6 a.m., but around 8:30 a.m., another multiple-car crash again forced the closure of several lanes.
The second Maryland auto accident involved as many as 11 vehicles and occurred near the Ritchie Marlboro Road exit, about four miles away from the previous crash. The driver of a box truck involved in the crash had to be extricated from the vehicle.
According to initial news reports, at least four adults—three men and one woman—were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of this crash was also still under investigation.
We wish all those injured in these crashes quick and full recoveries. We also send our condolences to Marshall Omar Cooper’s family and friends.