Middle River Man Charged Nearly One Year After Five-Vehicle St. Mary’s Crash Left Two With Life-Threatening Injuries

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — A Middle River man has been charged by criminal summons nearly one year after a five-vehicle crash on Three Notch Road that left two people with life-threatening injuries, with investigators alleging he was traveling about 75 mph in a 45 mph zone, distracted by his phone’s GPS and did not brake before impact.

Cody Tyler Fuller, 26, of Middle River, is charged with two counts of causing life-threatening injury by motor vehicle while criminally negligent, according to court and charging documents.

Fuller also received citations for reckless driving, negligent driving, exceeding the speed limit, failing to control speed to avoid a collision, failing to stop at a steady red signal, failing to obey a traffic control device, driving at an unreasonable speed, failing to ensure a child passenger was properly restrained and using a handheld phone while driving in a crash resulting in serious injury, according to charging documents.

The crash happened around 4:22 p.m. on May 16, 2025, in the 21000 block of Three Notch Road near FDR Boulevard. Emergency medical crews responded for a five-vehicle crash, and one person who was trapped suffered life-threatening injuries and was flown to a trauma center, according to the application for statement of charges.

Investigators wrote that Fuller was driving a white Ford F-150 south on Three Notch Road when the truck struck multiple vehicles near the intersection. Fuller allegedly told authorities he was going too fast and was distracted by his phone’s GPS.

According to charging documents, the Ford was traveling about 75 mph in a 45 mph zone as it approached stopped traffic near FDR Boulevard. Witness information cited in the application stated the truck accelerated from the Three Notch Road and Pegg Road intersection before drifting left as it approached vehicles stopped for a red light.

The first impact involved a Hyundai Elantra that was slowing near the stop line. The Elantra came to rest between two lanes after being struck.

The Ford then continued through the crash scene and struck a Honda Pilot that was stopped in another lane. Investigators cited roadway gouging and the truck’s continued movement as evidence supporting the allegation that the pickup was traveling at high speed.

Charging documents state the Ford continued through the intersection and struck a Volkswagen Jetta that was moving through on a green light for northbound traffic turning left. The Jetta remained drivable and came to a controlled stop after the impact.

A fifth vehicle was struck by debris from the crash and stopped at the FDR Boulevard stop line. The operator of that vehicle was not injured, according to the application.

Investigators wrote that crash data from the Ford showed Fuller was traveling 75 mph, did not brake, and was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The application also states the southbound traffic signal turned red as Fuller approached the intersection, while vehicles ahead of him had already begun slowing.

The crash damaged five vehicles and caused a major road closure for several hours.

The criminal summons was issued May 13, 2026, nearly one year after the crash. Fuller is scheduled for a preliminary inquiry on June 26, 2026, at 1 p.m. in St. Mary’s District Court. No judge was listed in the scheduling information provided.

Under Maryland law, causing life-threatening injury by motor vehicle while criminally negligent is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a $5,000 fine, or both, for each count. The listed incarcerable charges carry a combined maximum of about three years and 60 days in jail, along with possible fines.

A hearing is set for June 26, 2026, in St. Mary’s District Court.

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