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Innocent Woman Killed After Driver Eluding Police Slams Into Car

GLEN BURNIE, Md. (WJZ) -- An innocent woman was killed after a driver eluded state police and slammed into her head-on. The accident left roads closed for hours in Anne Arundel County during the busiest time of day.

Rick Ritter has more on the tragedy.

Police say the suspect is 31-year-old Johnathan Simms from Baltimore. Online court records show he has a history of traffic violations---and now he could be charged with vehicular manslaughter.

Debris was scattered and two cars were mangled. Video shows the aftermath of a police pursuit that ended with a senseless tragedy.

"It's incredibly unfortunate circumstances," said Elena Russo, Maryland State Police.

Just before 4 p.m. Friday, state police in Glen Burnie tried pulling over a man they say was speeding.

"Instead of pulling over, the suspect accelerated to speeds of almost 90 miles per hour," Russo said.

The pursuit lasted a few minutes before the trooper backed off as the suspected turned onto Aviation Boulevard. There, police say he drove onto the wrong side of the road, slamming his Toyota Camry into an oncoming car and killing the driver, identified as Louise Donner, 66, of Linthicum.

"This innocent woman, who was probably just trying to get home from a day's work, was involved in this crash," Russo said.

Police aren't exactly sure why Simms fled but are now left investigating a heartbreaking accident.

"This was a simple traffic stop and all of this could have been avoided if he just pulled over," Russo said.

The road was closed well into the night.

Donner was declared dead at the scene.

The driver was taken to a local hospital with injuries. He's expected to survive. State police say he'll face a handful of charges and vehicular manslaughter is likely to be one of them.

State police say the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney will be consulted on potential charges.

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