3 Victims Of Anne Arundel Crash Include 7-Year-Old & Teen
MILLERSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) -- A horrific eight-vehicle crash in Anne Arundel County killed three people, including a 14-year-old and 7-year-old girl. We're learning more about the victims and what led to the accident.
Monique Griego reports all of the victims were riding in the same car. Police say it was driver error that caused the deadly crash.
Sky Eye Chopper 13 captured the frantic efforts of emergency responders on the scene of a devastating multi-car crash in Millersville. The eight-vehicle accident would claim the lives of three people.
"I saw ambulances and fire trucks going the wrong way down the road; it was shut down," said driver James Carroll.
The crash happened around 5 p.m. Tuesday during rush hour on Route 3 near Route 32.
Anne Arundel County police say all of the vehicles were heading south on Route 3 when a flatbed truck rear-ended the victims' car.
"Traffic started jamming up, slowing down. That truck did not slow down in time, rear-ended a Toyota Camry, causing a chain- reaction," said Justin Mulcahy, Anne Arundel County Police spokesperson.
All three people killed were riding in the backseat of that Camry.
They've since been identified as 37-year-old Bethany Dempsey, her daughter, 14-year-old Lauren White and 7-year-old Abigail Cullen. Cullen is the daughter of Dempsey's boyfriend, who was also injured in the crash.
WJZ has confirmed Dempsey is the daughter of the sheriff of King George County, Va.
Police say the severity of the crash was hard for even the experienced first responders to take.
"It was very difficult on many levels; certainly have children involved as well," Mulcahy said. "We actually brought in chaplain's mobile crisis to help them deal with that."
Special traffic investigators are still in the process of piecing together exactly what happened.
"They'll reconstruct the scene, collect any evidence and work closely throughout with the state's attorney's office," said Mulcahy.
Police do not think alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash but the driver could still face charges for failing to stop.
The accident sent six other people to the hospital. Two of them are listed in critical condition.
