On September 27, 2011 at approximately 8:56 p.m. deputies responded to the report of a crash involving a pedestrian in the area of Route 5 and Janeen Place in Park Hall, Maryland. As deputies arrived on the scene the pedestrian was pronounced dead. Members of the Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.
Preliminary investigation revealed Clinton Wayne Rankin Jr., 29 of Lexington Park, Maryland was walking in the travel portion of northbound Maryland Route 5 in the area of Janeen Lane. Mr. Rankin was walking in a very dark area and wearing dark non-reflective clothing. A 2001 Chevrolet Malibu, operated by Stephanie Marie Lee, 22 of Lexington Park, Maryland was traveling northbound on Route 5. Ms. Lee’s vehicle struck Mr. Rankin. After Ms. Lee struck Mr. Rankin she pulled to the northbound shoulder of the road where she brought her vehicle to a stop. Mr. Rankin’s body came to rest in the northbound lane of Route 5. A 2001 Nissan Altima, operated by Michael Quinn Virga, 21 of Germantown, Maryland was traveling on northbound Route 5. Mr. Virga’s vehicle ran over Mr. Rankin’s body. Neither operator of the vehicles were injured as a result of the crash.
The preliminary investigation indicates the primary cause of the crash was Mr. Rankin illegally walking in the roadway. There was no evidence to indicate that speed, alcohol or drugs were
–>
