Two Pedestrians, One Driver Killed in 3 Separate Crashes Over Weekend


CALIFORNIA, Md. (October 17, 2011)—Two pedestrians and one driver died in three separate accidents in each of the three southern Maryland counties over the weekend. A pedestrian was killed in Great Mills, St. Mary's County on Saturday; another pedestrian was killed in La Plata, Charles County on Sunday; and the lone occupant of an SUV was killed in a single car crash in Dunkirk, Calvert County on Saturday.

Pedestrian Killed in Great Mills

Gregory Allen Ford, 53 of Lexington Park, was killed Saturday evening just before 8 p.m. after being struck by a car as he was crossing Great Mills Road near Carver School Boulevard in Great Mills.

Police investigators determined that Mr. Ford was in the eastbound right lane on Great Mills Road attempting to reach the sidewalk when a 1992 Honda Accord operated by Mellissa Ann Billings, 21 of Lexington Park, was traveling eastbound in the same lane. Ms. Billings' vehicle struck Ford. Mr. Ford was transported to Prince George's Hospital Center by MSP 7 helicopter where he succumbed to his injuries.

The preliminary investigation concludes that Mr. Ford bears the majority of the responsibility for the accident. Police say he was illegally in the roadway, he was wearing dark clothing at night, and he was under the influence of alcohol. Speed and alcohol on the part of Ms. Billings do not appear to be contributing factors, say police.

Members of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Crash Reconstruction conducted the investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact DFC Timothy Reese at 301-475-4200 Ext 9115.

Pedestrian Killed in La Plata

Steven Alan Belkov Jr., 31 of Waldorf, was killed Sunday evening around 7:53 p.m. as he was crossing southbound Route 301 at Oriole Lane in La Plata. Police say Mr. Belkov was struck by a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe Black driven by Nelson Lara, Jr., 27 of Waldorf. Police say there was no crosswalk on the roadway where the pedestrian was crossing.

Mr. Belkov was transported to Civista Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

Police say it cannot be determined if alcohol was a factor at this time.

Single Vehicle Crash Kills One in Dunkirk

A single vehicle accident on Saturday morning around 7:44 a.m. resulted in the death of one individual. The victim was so badly burned in the crash that confirmation of the driver's identity will not be known until an autopsy is performed at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore. Police say speed is believed to be one of the contributing causes of the collision.

The preliminary police investigation revealed that a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser was traveling northbound on MD Route 4. Just prior to the intersection of MD Route 4 and Chaney Road the vehicle left the roadway and entered a grass shoulder. The vehicle continued in the northerly direction as it crossed Chaney Road. The vehicle entered private property and continued to travel off road until it collided with a tree in a full frontal impact. Shortly after colliding with the tree the vehicle caught fire.

Responding emergency crews found the vehicle off the roadway engulfed in flames. Members of the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department extinguished the fire.

The operator, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, sustained mortal trauma as a result of the collision and was pronounced dead on the scene.

Calvert County Crash Reconstruction Team is conducting the investigation into the events that lead up to this collision. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Cpl. V. Bortchevsky at 410-535-2800 or by e-mail at bortchvi(at)co.cal.md.us.

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