Driver veered into highway work zone, killing 6 people

WOODLAWN, Md. (AP) – New details emerge Wednesday of a crash along the Baltimore Ring Road that killed six construction workers after a driver lost control of his vehicle, which crashed in a work area, according to Maryland State Police.

Lisa Adrianna Lea, 54, was identified as the driver of a gray Acura heading north on Interstate 695 near the Security Boulevard exit when she went to change lanes and hit the front passenger side of a a Volkswagen, state police said in a news release late Wednesday. . The impact caused him to lose control and his vehicle ended up moving between the temporary jersey walls of the construction area.

Police said Lea was taken to the Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center for treatment of injuries she sustained in the crash, which closed the ring road for hours in both directions, roaring traffic along the west side of the freeway that circles Baltimore. She was the sole occupant of the Acura.

Emergency personnel responded around 12:40 p.m. to reports of a pedestrian accident on the freeway.

Police said criminal charges are pending the outcome of the investigation and consultation with the Baltimore County State’s Attorney.

The driver of the Volkswagen reported no injuries. He stopped his vehicle north of the scene, police said.

Police have not released the names of the six workers killed pending family notification.

The National Transportation Safety Board, a government agency that investigates transportation accidents, is sending investigators to the scene, officials said in a tweet Thursday.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski called the incident horrific.

“We offer our sincere condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of those who lost their lives in today’s tragic accident,” he wrote in a tweet on Wednesday afternoon.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore also tweeted his condolences, saying his “heart goes out to the victims and families affected by the tragic accident on the 695 Ring Road this afternoon.”