At 2:20 pm on Tuesday, January 16, a serious personal injury crash occurred on southbound MD Rt. 4 north of Mt. Harmony Road, Owings. Initial investigation has determined that Terry A. Jones (19 of Dunkirk) was driving his 1996 Acura Integra south on MD Rt. 4 at an excessive rate of speed. He lost control of his Acura near Kerry Ann Lane, left the roadway, traveled onto the right roadside and struck a large utility pole sheering it in two. Mr. Jones sustained incapacitating injuries and was flown by MSP helicopter to the Prince George’s County Hospital (Shock Trauma). His passenger (Steven E. Brooks – 19 of Chesapeake Beach) was transported to Calvert Memorial Hospital for treatment. No other vehicles were involved.
The utility pole which Jones struck was a critical component to numerous utilities which supply services to the residents of Owings and Dunkirk. Upon impact, wires and cables connected to this utility pole fell across both lanes of Maryland Rt. 4. Both the north and southbound lanes of MD Rt. 4 had to be closed to protect motorists and to facilitate repairs. Members of the Maryland State Police, Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, State Highway Administration and County Government were used to divert traffic. The northbound lanes were used to move traffic in both directions until approximately 9:30 PM. At that time, both lanes of MD Rt. 4 were reopened.
Jones was listed in stable condition at the Prince George’s County Hospital within hours of the crash. The appropriate traffic charges will be pursued by the investigating trooper (Trooper J. Stern) as soon as possible. Jones’ passenger (Brooks) was treated and released (unconfirmed)