HOLLYWOOD, Md. (Feb 22, 2008)—One man is dead as the result of a two vehicle
accident that occurred this morning at the intersection of Md. Route 235 and
Airport View Drive in Hollywood. Michael Joseph Young, 22, of Mechanicsville,
died while en route to a hospital in Prince George's County. Due to the inclement weather, a med-evac helicopter was unavailable.
The accident happened around 8:30 Friday morning. Police say Young attempted to cross over the southbound lanes of Rt. 235 onto Airport View Drive from the crossover in his 2000 GMC Sierra pick-up truck.
Southbound 235 is heavily trafficked in the morning as thousands of commuters rush to their jobs at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and nearby contractor facilities. Airport View Drive houses an industrial park that supports several hundred workers.
There is no traffic signal at the intersection.
Young's vehicle apparently lost traction on the wet roadway which caused the wheels to spin. Young's vehicle was then struck by a 1997 GMC Yukon operated by a Michael Joseph Reese, 61, of Hollywood, who was traveling southbound on Rt. 235.
After the vehicles collided, Young's truck was thrown from the southbound shoulder of the roadway and struck a light pole. Young was not restrained by a seatbelt at the time of the collision and was ejected from the passenger side of the truck. A witness told us that Young landed in a ditch and was nearly submerged in rainwater runoff.
Young was being transported to P.G. Shock Trauma by ambulance when he went into cardiac arrest. As a result, the ambulance diverted to Civista Hospital in La Plata where he was pronounced dead.
Reese, the operator of the Yukon, as well as his front seat passenger, Carollton Reese, 92, of Hollywood, were transported to St. Mary's Hospital. A back seat passenger in the Yukon was treated and released at the scene.
Police say their initial investigation indicates failing to yield the right of way
was the primary cause of the collision. Speed or alcohol do not appear to be contributing factors.
The investigation is ongoing by the Sheriff's Office Reconstruction Team.
RELATED INFORMATION:
LETTER: Hazardous 'Accident' View Drive Needs To Be Addressed, Feb. 22, 2008
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