Wednesday, Nov. 2 Update from Charles County Sheriff’s Office
Waldorf, MD – On Oct. 31 at about 12:20 p.m., a Nissan Maxima was traveling north on Crain Highway when the driver failed to stop for a steady red traffic signal and struck a dump truck and a passenger car turning left from Crain Highway onto Mattawoman Beantown Road. The Maxima then struck a curb and became disabled. The driver fled the scene on foot, and a female passenger, 19, from Indian Head, was ejected. An off-duty medic was in the area and stopped to render aid to the woman. Charles County Sheriff’s Office officers assisted the medic. The woman was flown to a hospital by Maryland State Police Trooper 2 and was admitted with serious injuries. No one else was injured.
Prior to the crash, officers responded to a business at which the occupants of the car were suspected of stealing merchandise. After the theft, they fled in a red-colored car which was broadcast to officers. An officer responding to the theft spotted the suspects’ vehicle near St. Patricks Drive and initiated a traffic stop. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer observed a female driver and two males in the car. He also saw evidence possibly linking the suspects to the theft. In addition, the officer detected an odor of marijuana. The backseat passenger, Deonte Charles Bush, 19, of Indian Head, exited the car and was found to be in possession of marijuana. While continuing to investigate, the female driver climbed over the front seat and got into the back of the car while the front seat passenger, a 23-year-old male, slid over behind the steering wheel and fled. Officers pursued the car, but stopped after a very short distance. The driver continued to flee north on Crain Highway for nearly a mile and a half before striking the truck.
Investigators have identified the driver as Melvin Tyrone Simmons, 23, of Indian Head. Simmons has two open warrants on file. He is 5’9”, 155 pounds, and has numerous tattoos. Bush was charged, via a civil citation, with possession of marijuana. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Cpl. P. E. McPherson of the CCSO Traffic Operations Unit at 301-609-3251.
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Waldorf, MD – A motor vehicle collision on northbound Crain Highway at Mattawoman Beantown Road critically injured a woman who may have been involved in a theft at a business earlier in the day, police reported.
According to Diane Richardson of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, the crash involving a vehicle police had been pursuing and a dump truck occurred sometime around 12:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. Richardson told TheBayNet that at 12:20 p.m. police received a call about a theft at a Waldorf business. A vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s car was stopped by police on northbound Crain Highway at Plaza Drive. A woman had been driving the vehicle, which had one male passenger. When the officer went to his patrol vehicle to check the woman’s license, the woman moved out of the driver’s seat which was then taken by the male passenger. He then drove the vehicle from the scene. A high speed pursuit then began. Richardson said police ended their pursuit at the Acton Lane intersection. The suspect car, however, continued northbound at a high rate of speed. A short time later the suspect vehicle collided with the dump truck.
The female in the suspect vehicle was critically injured and was flown to a regional trauma center. The male suspect fled the area on foot.
The names of the suspect and the injured woman have not been released at this time. Anyone who might have information that could aid investigators is urged to call the Charles County Sheriff’s Office at 301-932-2222.
Waldorf, MD – The road has been reopened. One motorist was reported critically injured. A driver involved in the crash has fled the scene on foot and remains at large, police reported.
Waldorf, MD – At 12:36 p.m. Charles County authorities reported Crain Highway northbound at Mattawoman Beantown Road was shut down due to an accident. Please avoid area due to heavy traffic.