Crime & Safety
23-Vehicle Pileup On Bay Bridge Prompts DUI Arrest: Police
The driver behind a 23-vehicle pileup on the Bay Bridge was arrested and charged with a DUI, police said. She also had a suspended license.
ANNAPOLIS, MD — DUI charges were pressed Wednesday against the driver behind a 23-vehicle pileup that happened in January on the Bay Bridge, police said.
Officers identified the suspect as 48-year-old Gwendolyn Persina of Chester.
Authorities said Persina was charged with:
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- Driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol
- Driving with a suspended license
- Causing life-threatening injuries by driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol
- Other charges
Maryland Transportation Authority Police officers said they took Persina into custody Wednesday evening alongside deputies with the Queen Anne's County Office of the Sheriff. Authorities took her to the Queen Anne's County Detention Center.
The MDTA Police said the crash happened Jan. 27 at 7:46 a.m. on the Queen Anne's County portion of the westbound span.
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Officers said 12 people were hospitalized, including one victim with life-threatening injuries.
Authorities said they found a blue 2018 Honda Civic sedan involved in the crash and identified Persina as the driver.
Investigators think Persina was driving at high speeds when she hit another vehicle, causing the chain-reaction crash.
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