Maryland Single-vehicle Traffic Accident Leaves Driver Dead; Sends Two Passengers to Baltimore Shock Trauma

Whatever the cause of serious car or truck crash, the results can be terrible for the occupants and their families. Regardless of the reasons, a fatal automobile accident can deeply affect lives of victim’s relatives and close friends. A recent accident reported in the news brings up a point that bears repeating: Always wear your seatbelt.

If we could predict the future, those who choose not to wear their safety belt might do better over time, but since traffic wrecks are not predictable, drivers and passengers are smart to belt-up whenever going out onto the road. As a Maryland personal injury lawyer and auto accident attorney, I understand how extensive a person’s injuries can be following a bad car accident.

The fatal crash in question reportedly occurred in Montgomery County, MD, on a Friday night as three people were traveling in a Honda Accord sedan along Chandlee Mill Road around 10pm in the evening. According to police, 19 -year-old David Oughton somehow lost control of the vehicle which then left the roadway and hit a tree by the roadside. Based on police reports, the driver died at the scene. He was allegedly not wearing his seatbelt.

The two other passengers, 16-year-old Khadijah Hopkins and 25-year-old Ebony Lee were both injured in the crash. Hopkins, who was the front-seat passenger, was transported by emergency responders to Baltimore Shock Trauma; at the time of the report, he was listed in critical condition. Lee, who was seated in the back of the vehicle, was taken to Suburban Hospital in reportedly serious, but stable condition.

Although Montgomery County police were still investigating the accident at the time of the news article, authorities stated that none of the riders was his or her safety belt. No cause had been given, however these kinds of accidents can occasionally be attributed to driver error or defective vehicle equipment, among other causes.

Bull Run man killed in Maryland wreck, InsideNoVa.com, October 31, 2010
Single vehicle accident kills one, injures two, ABC2News.com, October 30, 2010

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