Driver hits highway workers in Maryland, killing 6

Six freeway workers were killed Wednesday on a busy freeway outside Baltimore when they were struck by a car traveling to their work area, authorities said.

The crash happened around 12:40 p.m. when the driver of an Acura attempted to change lanes on the inner loop of Interstate 695, also known as the Baltimore Beltway, in Woodlawn, Maryland , Baltimore County, Maryland State Police. said in a statement.

State police identified the driver as Lisa Adrianna Lea, 54, of Randallstown, Maryland. As Ms Lea tried to move into the left lane, her car hit the ‘front corner panel’ on the passenger side of a Volkswagen driven by Melachi Brown. , 20, of Windsor Mill, Md., according to the police statement.

“Crash team investigators believe this caused the Acura to lose control and then drive into the work area,” state police said. It is unclear what prompted Ms Lea to hit the Volkswagen.

Video from WBAL-TV showed her Acura overturned lying in the middle of building materials between two barriers. Mr. Brown, who was not injured, stopped his vehicle north of the scene of the crash after it broke down, state police said.

All six workers were pronounced dead at the scene, state police said. Their identities have not been released pending notification of relatives. State police referred inquiries about the workers, including their employment status, to the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, which did not immediately comment on Thursday’s crash.

Ms Lea was taken to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where she was being treated for her injuries.

Any charges will depend on the outcome of the investigation, which is being conducted in consultation with the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office, authorities said. National Transportation Safety Board investigators are working with the Maryland State Police Crash Team on the investigation.

State and local leaders, who said they were monitoring the accident, expressed their condolences to the families of the highway workers.

On Twitter, Governor Wes Moore of Maryland said“My heart goes out to the victims and families affected by the tragic accident” on the Interstate.