Friendship, MD = The Anne Arundel County Police Department (AACPD) reported Monday that on Saturday, Dec. 24 at approximately 4:15 p.m., officers responded to a head-on crash on Friendship Road near Fairhaven Road in Friendship. Investigation showed that a Mazda was eastbound on Friendship Road when it crossed the centerline and into the path of a Hummer traveling westbound. As a result, the two vehicles collided head-on. The driver of the Mazda—identified as Chelsea Mae Estep, 23 of North Beach—was taken by helicopter to Shock Trauma in Baltimore with critical injuries. The driver of the Hummer—identified as Carl F. Raulin, 59 of North Beach—was taken to Calvert Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.
According to police, the primary cause of the crash is the Mazda driver’s failure to remain right of center. Contributing factors were the wet roadway and excessive speed by the Mazda. Alcohol is not believed to be a contributing factor. The AACPD Traffic Safety Section is handing the investigation and any charges are pending review by the State’s Attorney.