BEL AIR, Md. (Nov. 10, 2008) – Maryland State Police have confirmed the individual involved in a Harford County fatal crash on Friday, November 7, 2008 had been involved in another crash less than two hours before.
Earlier on Friday afternoon, the Maryland State Police charged Christopher Lentz, 37, of the 5600-block of Bell Gwynn Road in Glen Arm, Maryland with the following: failure to drive right of center, failure to immediately stop vehicle at scene of accident, failure of driver involved in accident to give insurance policy information, and failure to control speed to avoid collision. The charges resulted from a crash that troopers from the Bel Air Barrack responded to at approximately 3:30 p.m.
The preliminary investigation reveals that Lentz was operating a 1999 Chevrolet Express van traveling northbound on Route 152, north of Greenspring Avenue in Joppa, Maryland. Lentz reportedly crossed over the center line and sideswiped a 2003 Ford van traveling southbound.
The operator of the Ford van, Karen Williams, 44, of the 1200-block of Old Mountain Road North in Joppa was transporting seven children between the ages of 3 and 16. Williams was not injured. The seven passengers were transported by ambulance to Upper Chesapeake Hospital for precautionary reasons.
While investigating the crash, state troopers located Lentz in his company vehicle about one-half mile north of the scene. The vehicle had been disabled as a result of the collision.
At approximately 5:00 p.m. that same evening, troopers from the Bel Air Barrack responded to a multi-vehicle crash on the Route 1 bypass north of Route 24 in Harford County. Lentz was the driver of the 2004 Jeep Cherokee involved in the crash.
Charges are pending on the second crash. Troopers from the Bel Air Barrack and the Maryland State Police CRASH team are consulting with the Harford County’s State Attorney regarding both incidents as the investigation continues.
Source: MSP HQ, Pikesville