Maryland State Police Investigating Tractor-Trailer Crash In Montgomery County

(ROCKVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police are investigating a tractor-trailer crash that injured one person this morning in Montgomery County.

Shortly before 5:30 a.m. this morning, troopers from the Rockville Barrack responded to a tractor-trailer crash on the inner loop of I-495 in the area of Route 185. According to a preliminary investigation, the 38-year-old male driver of the tractor-trailer was traveling west of I-495 when for unknown reasons, the vehicle traveled onto the right shoulder of the road and struck the concrete traffic barrier with its passenger side front end.

The vehicle continued traveling forward on the right shoulder for approximately 80 feet before re-entering the road while the driver attempted to regain control. The driver lost control of the tractor-trailer and skidded toward the left shoulder before striking the left side concrete traffic barrier with the driver side front end and overturned on its passenger side on the left shoulder.

The victim was transported by ambulance for treatment of his injuries. No other vehicles were involved and no other injuries were reported as a result of the crash. I-495 was closed for about five hours as a result of the crash.

This morning’s crash came one day after troopers issued almost 400 traffic citations and warnings for a variety of offenses, including speeds that reached 110 mph as part of a focused traffic safety enforcement initiative around the Capital Beltway.

Throughout Thursday afternoon, troopers from the Forestville, College Park and Rockville barracks teamed up with troopers from the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division in a traffic safety initiative aimed at reducing crashes, speeding and aggressive driving on I-495.  Enforcement focused on both commercial and passenger vehicle drivers around the Beltway.

Troopers issued 250 traffic citations, 144 warnings and 25 safety equipment repair orders during the operation for a wide range of traffic offenses.  Dozens of citations were issued for exceeding the posted speed limit for speeds ranging from 70-110 mph. Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division troopers conducted safety inspections of 27 tractor trailers.  Troopers placed six of those commercial vehicles out of service for various violations.

The cause of the crash from this morning remains under investigation.

###

CONTACT:  Office of Media Communications, 410-653-4236, or msp.media@maryland.gov