Driver In Fatal Wrong-Way Crash Was Under The Influence Of Drugs & Alcohol
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Intoxicated on pain killers. Investigators make that determination about a driver who killed a little girl after going the wrong way on the Beltway.
Adam May has the latest on this tragic accident.
It's been a week since the wreck, and the mother of that little girl is still at Shock Trauma. Her family is devastated by this latest news.
Three-year-old Lily Kelley had her life in front of her before she was killed when a drunk driver crashed into her family's car going the wrong on way on the Beltway near Curtis Creek last week.
Now police say Victoria DeAngelo, 21, from Dundalk, who also died, had a blood alcohol level of .18. That's twice the legal limit. Police also found narcotics in her system.
"It's horrific. People do dumb things once in a while, but this is uncalled for," said Tony Deville, family friend.
The drug in DeAngelo's system was a painkiller called Tramadol.
"Tramadol like any other medication in its class is prone to abuse," said Dr. David Maine.
Maine is a pain expert at Mercy Medical Center. He says Tramadol has similarities to other painkillers more often misused, like oxycodone.
"Any opiate combined with alcohol can have magnifying effects, most concerning is loss of cognition. You have difficulty concentrating," Maine said.
It's a deadly combination on the road. Lily's mother Kimberly Taylor is still hospitalized with shattered legs.
"Kimmy has a long way to go for rehabilitation and such," Deville said.
Friends are now planning a benefit concert and are thankful for all the support.
"They're overwhelmed by the outpouring cry from people. They didn't even know how this affected them," Deville said.
The mother has had four surgeries. Her 2-month-old baby, who was also in the car at the time of the crash, has been released from the hospital.
For more information on the benefit concert, click here.
