On July 26, 2017, at approximately 9:25 p.m., officers responded to a report of two pedestrians struck on Annapolis Road (MD-175) at Walker Drive in Severn. Investigation showed that two construction workers of Peak Incorporated were implementing an authorized lane closure by coning off the right lane of northbound Annapolis Road for the State Highway Administration. The coning was almost complete and the right lane had been closed for over ½ mile when the driver of the GMC entered the closed lane and struck the two workers that were standing in the closed lane of the roadway.
Both workers were taken to Shock Trauma in Baltimore, one with critical injuries and one with possible serious injuries. The driver of the GMC was not injured but was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol and taken for an alcohol test. The cause of the crash was the GMC driver’s failure to obey the marked lane closure and alcohol was also a likely contributing factor. The Traffic Safety Section is handing the investigation and any charges will be after review by the State’s Attorney.
Vehicle #1 1994 GMC Sierra Pickup, blue
Driver
Valerie Helen Matthews (63yoa) no injuries
Pedestrian #1
Walter I. Gonzalez-Lopez (56yoa) (Deceased) – Shock Trauma
Pedestrian #2
Edin O. Romero-Maldonado (19yoa) serious injuries – Shock Trauma
UPDATE:
On July 30, 2017, Walter I. Gonzalez-Lopez died as a result of his injuries while being treated at Maryland Shock Trauma. The Traffic Safety Section is handing the investigation and any charges will be after review by the State’s Attorney.