FATAL ACCIDENT Fort Smallwood Road & Sycamore Road
By Career FADO and Alumni Jeff Gellert
August 10, 2008
FATAL ACCIDENT
A single occupant (driver) was traveling north on Fort Smallwood Road at a high rate of
speed when the driver failed to negotiate a curve to the right. She drove across the center median,
crossed over the southbound lanes, and drove off the west side of the roadway. The vehicle
continued to travel in a northerly direction after leaving the roadway. It then struck a drainage
ditch, which caused it to rotate in a clockwise direction while overturning. While traveling
sideways on its side, the vehicle struck a utility pole located on the southeast corner of the BP gas
station, located on the corner of Fort Smallwood Road and Sycamore Road. When the vehicle
struck the utility pole it bent in half and wrapped itself around the utility pole. At that time, the
driver and her dog was ejected from the vehicle and slid more than 100 feet across the gas station lot,
coming to rest in the northeast corner of the gas station lot. As a result of the striking the pole, the
engine separated from the vehicle and came to rest in the middle of the lot. Two vehicles stopped in
the gas station, pumping gas, sustained minor damage when they were stuck by debris coming from
Rey's vehicle. The vehicle had been observed driving in an erratic manner by multiple witnesses
prior to the collision. The first arriving unit (Squad 11) came across the accident prior to dispatch as it
was returning from area familiarization in the Tanyard Springs community. Soon after, Chief 11 and Ambulance 119 arrived with units from 13. Patient care was started immediately with a secondary search of the vehicle and area, which revealed the patient's Chesapeake Bay retriever who appeared uninjured. A line was secured and charge to protect the vehicle and telephone pole from fire. ALS and BLS crews made determined efforts to save the patient. Trooper 1 landed and assisted crews with EMS care, while preparing to move to the medevac, the patient went into arrest from extensive injuries. The patient was flown as a trauma arrest to R. Adams Cowley trauma center in Baltimore. She was pronounced dead after best efforts by all, shortly after arrival at the center.
