3-Year-Old Killed in Violent Crash, Others in Critical Condition

A 3-year-old boy was killed Wednesday night after a car he was riding in with five teenagers struck a large tree on Ridge Road in Hanover, according to police.

Police said the driver lost control for an “unknown reason,” but did say the toddler's death was caused by a lack of occupant safety.

The young boy was being held on the lap of a passenger in the back rear of the car and not in a child safety seat, according to police.

After traveling south on Ridge Road, police said the car struck a large tree adjacent to the roadway. The driver and each passenger sustained serious injuries. The teenagers were taken in an ambulance to the University of Maryland Hospital Shock Trauma Unit, while the young boy was transported to St. Agnes Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The boy was identified as Joseph Sutherlin, 3, of Baltimore.

Police said the driver and the other four passengers are in critical but stable condition.

The driver of the vehicle was Buck Benny, 16, of Halethorpe, MD, according to a police report. The other passengers are listed below:

• Gary Ellison, 18, of Landsdowne, MD
• John Ward, 16, of Baltimore
• Britney Shiflett, 18, of Baltimore
• Jamie Shiflett, 17, Baltimore

Police said the severity of the injuries and the death of the young child was caused by not using the proper safety restraints, such as seat belts and a child safety seat.

The investigation is continuing, said police.