On May 13 at 1:41 p.m., a Charles County Public Facilities Ford F-350 was attempting to cross Crain Highway from Bel Alton-Newtown Road to Chapel Point Road in Bel Alton. The driver failed yield the right of way to a Marva Marble and Granite, Inc. International truck hauling a load of marble sheets south on Crain Highway. The International truck subsequently struck the Ford. Debris from the International truck was scattered across the roadway.
The driver of the Ford, Edward Vianney Clements Sr., 70, of La Plata, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He was flown by a Maryland State Police helicopter to Prince George's Hospital Center. The driver of the International truck, James Henry Hodges, 51, of Mechanicsville, was not injured. They were wearing seatbelts.
Southbound Crain Highway was closed for one hour and 35 minutes to allow the State Highway Administration to clear the debris from the roadway. Traffic was diverted onto Chapel Point Road, which ends on Crain Highway south of the crash. Hodges was issued a citation for not adequately securing a load. Charges are pending against Clements. Cpl. D. W. Belfield of the Traffic Operations Unit is investigating.
Charles County Crime Solvers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in Charles County that leads to an arrest or indictment. Anyone with information about a crime may contact Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. All callers may remain anonymous.