Speed A Possible Factor In Baltimore Crash That Killed 6: NTSB

BALTIMORE, MD — The drivers of two cars involved in a March crash on the Baltimore Beltway that killed six highway workers were both going above the speed limit and faster than other drivers around them, according to a National Transportation Safety Board report.

Charges are still possible in the case as prosecutors continue to review the Interstate 695 crash.

To honor those killed in the crash, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will join regional transportation construction partners Wednesday for a Work Zone Safety Unity Ride beginning at noon. The ride will take place on highways in Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties. (See ride details below.)

According to police, the driver of a 2017 Acura — identified by police as a 54-year-old woman from Randallstown — was traveling on I-695 around 12:40 p.m. on March 22 when she attempted to change lanes.

• RELATED: 6 Dead After Car Crashes Into Construction Workers On I-695: Police

As she did, police said the woman's vehicle hit the front corner panel of a Volkswagen driven by a 20-year-old man from Windsor Mill. The impact caused the driver of the Acura to lose control of the car before crashing into the work zone, police said.

According to the NTSB report, the Acura passed through an opening in the concrete barriers separating the work zone from the highway travel lanes. As the car traveled through the work zone, it struck miscellaneous construction materials and the workers before it came to a stop after overturning.

The posted speed limit in the work area was 55 mph, the report said.

Emergency personnel pronounced the six workers dead on the scene, police said.

Those killed in the crash were:

• Rolando Ruiz, 46, of Laurel.
• Carlos Orlando Villatoro Escobar, 43, of Frederick.
• Jose Armando Escobar, 52, of Frederick.
• Mahlon Simmons III, 31, of Union Bridge.
• Mahlon Simmons II, 52, of Union Bridge.
• Sybil Lee Dimaggio, 46, of Glen Burnie.

The driver of the Acura was taken to the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Shock Trauma Center for treatment, according to authorities.

Police said the driver of the Volkswagen stopped his car north of the scene on I-695, where it became disabled. He was not injured, police said.

In a statement provided to WTOP, NTSB spokesperson Peter Knudson called the accident "certainly one of the worst crashes involving highway construction workers in recent years.”

Charges are still possible in the case as prosecutors review the investigation. Maryland State Police and the State Highway Administration are also investigating the crash, WTOP reported.

Work Zone Safety Unity Ride

In observation of National Work Zone Awareness Week this week as well as “Go Orange Day” for work zone safety on April 19, the Work Zone Safety Unity Ride ride aims to raise awareness and encourage drivers to stay alert and slow down in highway work zones. The ride also honors those injured or killed in work zone crashes.

The Unity Ride begins at noon Wednesday and is expected to last an hour. The procession will assemble at a Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport lot off Highway 176 (Dorsey Road) near WB&A Road. More than 200 construction-related vehicles are expected to participate.

The procession will travel eastbound on Highway 176 to northbound Interstate 97, then onto the inner loop of I-695 to northbound I-83 (Baltimore-Harrisburg Expressway). Participants will travel north on I-83 to southbound Highway 45 (York Road). The ride will end at the Maryland State Fairgrounds.

The procession will travel at the posted speed along the route. Drivers can expect brief ramp closures to accommodate the procession.

April 19 is national “Go Orange Day.” In addition to Work Zone Safety Unity Ride, the State Highway Administration is encouraging Marylanders to join the effort by posting photos of themselves wearing orange on their social media platforms using the #GoOrangeMD hashtag.