By Guy Leonard, County Times
HOLLYWOOD, Md. (Oct. 16, 2008)—A recently married couple who lived in Lexington Park was killed Friday, Oct. 10, when the motorcycle they were riding collided with another vehicle while they were traveling on Willows Road.
Phillip Brian Natalie, 26, who was driving the motorcycle died on the scene of the accident as a result of his injuries. His wife, Jessica Laurel Natalie, 26, was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead, according to incident reports from the Maryland State Police.
Police reports state that the collision occurred when a Toyota Camry, operated by Lateesha Shonte Cooper, 25, of Lexington Park took a left hand turn from Crimson Drive onto eastbound Willows Road.
Brian Natalie’s westbound Yamaha R-1 motorcycle collided with the Toyota while it was in the eastbound lane at the intersection of Willows Road and Crimson Drive, police reports stated.
The Natalies lived in the Abberly Crest apartment community on Willows Road and managerial staff there confirmed that Jessica Natalie was employed there as an assitant manager in the community.
Management staff also confirmed that the couple had just been married over the summer.
Phillip Natalie worked for the defense contractor DynCorp at Patuxent River Naval Air Station at the Strike wing.
The cause of the accident is unknown, according to state trooper reports.
Cooper was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment and released.
The deaths of the Natalies brings the number of motor vehicle related fatalities in St. Mary’s County this year to 13 deaths in 10 accidents, according to records from both the sheriff’s office and state troopers.
That averages out to more than one fatality per month, with six of the fatalities occurring in just the past twoand-a-half months alone.
Lt. Michael Thompson, commander of the Leonardtown barrack, said that any number of things caused fatal accidents but speed, alcohol and distracted driving were often key factors.
“Without question that’s an alarming figure,” Thompson said of the total of dead on county roads. “It’s not uncommon for troopers down here to issue citations for people going 88 or 90 miles an hour routinely.”
Speed has not been determined to be a factor in the crash on Willows road.