At approximately 12:40 a.m. on Sunday, September 17, a single-vehicle crash occurred on westbound Ball Road, approximately ½ mile east of Broomes Island Road, in Port Republic.
Investigation revealed that a 1994 Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck operated by Thomas E. Vito Jr. (18, of St. Leonard) traveled off of the roadway onto the right roadside. The truck struck a dirt bank and became airborne. The truck then slammed into a tree and overturned several times before coming to a final rest approximately 250 feet from where it left Ball Road.
Vito had three passengers and all three were fully ejected.
Robert A. Ezerins, 21, of St. Leonard, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cody A. Wood, 19, of St. Leonard, was transported to Calvert Memorial Hospital and subsequently flown to the Washington Hospital Center. Efforts to keep Mr. Wood alive proved futile and he died late Sunday night.
Matthew L. Greening (18 of St. Leonard, MD) was also initially transported to Calvert Memorial Hospital and then flown to the Washington Hospital Center. He remains in critical condition. The driver (Thomas Vito, Jr.) was flown to the Prince George’s County Hospital by Maryland State Police Med-Evac Helicopter. As of this press release, Vito was listed in stable condition and is expected to be discharged today.
Initial responders report that Thomas E. Vito Jr. was the only occupant conscious at the scene. He reported to investigators that he was driving his Chevrolet truck and notified the emergency medical personnel and police officers of the names of his three passengers and where they had been sitting in the truck prior to the crash.
Preliminary investigation determined that only Vito was restrained by a safety belt. It appears that none of the passengers, all of which were ejected, were properly restrained.
Alcohol impairment and driver error are suspected in this fatal crash. Charges are pending and this investigation is continuing.