Double Fatal Collision - Charles County

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2017

Type of Incident: Double Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision

Date and Time: July 14, 2017 at 11:15 a.m.

Location: Rock Point Road west of Kings Farm Place, Newburg, Charles County, MD

Vehicle 1: 2007 Chrysler 300M, Maryland registration

Vehicle 2: 2014 Ford F-150, Maryland registration

Driver Vehicle 1: Betty Jo Saunders (deceased), 72, Newburg, Maryland

Driver Vehicle 2: Joseph Harvey Edelen (deceased), 67, Newburg, Maryland

Passengers: None

Narrative:

(NEWBURG, Md.) – On July 14, 2017 at approximately 11:15 a.m., Troopers from the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack responded to a personal injury motor vehicle collision on Rock Point Road west of Kings Farm Place.

The preliminary investigation conducted by Troopers indicates that a 2007 Chrysler 300M was traveling westbound on Rock Point Road when, for an unknown reason, it crossed over the double yellow center line and struck a 2014 Ford F-150 head-on as it was traveling eastbound on Rock Point Road.

As a result of the collision, both drivers were trapped in their vehicles. The operator of the Chrysler 300M, Betty Jo Saunders, was pronounced dead on the scene. The operator of the Ford F-150, Joseph Harvey Edelen, was extricated by fire department personnel. He was treated on the scene by paramedics and transported to the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at approximately 1229 hrs. Both Saunders and Edelen will be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for autopsy.

La Plata Barrack personnel were assisted on scene by the Maryland State Police CRASH Team, Deputies from the Charles County Sheriff's Office and personnel from the State Highway Administration. Additionally, personnel from the Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Department, the Newburg Volunteer Fire Department, the Charles County Department of Emergency Services EMS Division and the Maryland State Police Aviation Command provided assistance as well.

This investigation is being continued by Sergeant C.M. Bowling, a Collision Reconstruction Specialist assigned to the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack. Anyone who may have witnessed, or who has information regarding this collision, is asked to contact the La Plata Barrack Duty Officer at (301) 392-1200 and reference case number 17-MSP-029550.
 

acommondisaster

Active Member
Didn't know Ms Saunders, but everyone who knew Mr Edelen will tell you what a nice man he was. Whenever something like this happens on our country road to nowhere, it feels like it affects all of us. Sad day for all involved, including those who were on the scene right after it happened.
 
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