A Frederick man died the night of Monday, December 17, when a vehicle crossed the center median along Interstate 270 and hit his vehicle.
Peter Anthony Halpert, age 47, was driving his 2012 Ford Escape northbound on I-270 near Bennett Creek when the fatal Maryland accident occurred.
At about 9:50 p.m., 51-year-old Joseph Grant, a resident of West Virginia, failed to negotiate a turn just north of Montgomery County and lost control of his southbound 2001 Ford Windstar. The minivan overturned in the median before crossing over into northbound traffic.
The minivan crashed into Halpert’s vehicle as well as a 2005 Lexus driven by 60-year-old Marion Angus Barrie of Frederick.
Halpert, also a Frederick resident, died in the crash. Barrie was treated at Frederick Memorial Hospital for potential injuries and released. Grant was listed in stable condition at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda the day after the accident. Police were not sure if any of the people involved in the three-car accident were wearing seat belts or not.
According to Maryland State Police, speed and weather were contributing factors in the Frederick accident. They say that Grant did not slow down enough to make the turn during slippery rain conditions.
They do not yet know whether alcohol or drugs were factors and are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident. Potential charges against Grant for causing the crash are still pending.
The accident closed down a portion of the interstate for several hours.
The lawyers at Nickelsporn & Lundin express our condolences to the family of Mr. Halpert in the time of their grief.