PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. - The Calvert County Sheriff's Office reported two serious accidents that occurred on Saturday, June 9, 2007. One man is dead as a result of one of the accidents.
On June 9 at 4:15 a.m. members of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a motor vehicle crash along Md. Rt. 4 in the area of Brickhouse Road in Dunkirk. Investigation revealed that Dep. Johnny Coates was operating a Calvert County Sheriff's Office marked patrol vehicle in an off-duty capacity when the vehicle struck the guardrail on the northbound side of Rt. 4. The vehicle then crossed the median at Brickhouse Road, struck a culvert, a tree, and then a brick pillar and came to rest overturned on the brick sign for Dunkirk Animal Hospital. Deputy Coates was transported via MSP helicopter to Baltimore Shock Trauma where he is listed in critical but stable condition. The investigation is continuing.
On June 9 at 7:34 p.m. members of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office responded to the area of MD. Rt. 260 at Jewell Road in Dunkirk for a reported serious vehicle crash. Upon arrival, DFC Todd Smith discovered Herbert N. Cooper, 84, of Friendship, trapped in his vehicle in full cardiac arrest. Cpl. James Wahlgren of the Crash Reconstruction Team responded to the scene. Preliminary investigation shows that a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria driven by Mr. Cooper was southbound on Jewell Road. He had stopped for the flashing red signal and then proceeded to pull across Md. Rte. 260 into oncoming traffic. A 2001 Chevy Malibu was traveling west on Md. Rt. 260 and struck the Ford in the driver's side door. Mr. Cooper was pronounced dead on the scene. The passenger in the vehicle, Alva R. L. Cooper, 77, also of Friendship, was transported to Suburban Hospital in Bethesda via MSP helicopter. The driver of the other vehicle, Sandra M. Montgomery, 22, of Waldorf, was transported to Calvert Memorial Hospital by the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department. The investigation is continuing.