The deceased is identified as Ayuk Etta, 40, of Lanham, Maryland. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by Prince George’s County Fire/EMS personnel.
Troopers from the Forestville Barrack responded on Sept. 15, 2024, at approximately 8:50 p.m. to a crash involving a 2016 Honda Pilot and a 2018 Mercedes sedan on the Outer Loop of Interstate 495 at Route 50 in Lanham. According to a preliminary investigation, the Honda was traveling north on I-495 when it lost control and rear-ended the Mercedes.
At the time of the crash, the Mercedes was stopped on the left shoulder, and the driver, Etta, was standing outside the vehicle. The passengers in the Mercedes—Miranda, 39, and Mayah, 24, Nembo—both from Prince George’s County, were treated at the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center and released. Their relationship with each other is currently unknown.
The Honda was occupied by five male friends from Prince George’s County. The driver, Biruk Grimes, 19, and two passengers, aged 18 and 19, refused medical treatment at the scene. The remaining occupants, 18-year-old Olauwadamilola Fatokun and a 17-year-old, were transported to Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center for treatment.
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration assisted with road closures, which lasted over six hours. Police believe excessive speed contributed to the crash. Once the investigation is completed, the Prince George’s State’s Attorney’s Office will determine if charges are warranted. The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the investigation.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
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