LEONARDTOWN, Md. (July 16, 2009)—Two people perished in two separate traffic accidents on St. Mary's County roads in recent days. The following accident reports were released by the sheriff's office.
FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION: The sheriff's office is investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision which occurred on Thursday, July 9, at approximately 5:05 p.m. at the intersection of Point Lookout Road and Sunnyside Road in Loveville. Preliminary, the investigation reveals, a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer, operated by Cathrina Lynn Lindsay, 41 of Mechanicsville, was traveling north on Point Lookout Road. Ms. Lindsay's vehicle collided into the rear of a 1997 Chevrolet S10 Pick up Truck, which was operated by Shana Leigh Ridgell, 18, of Mechanicsville. Ms. Ridgell's truck was stopped in the northbound lane waiting for southbound traffic to clear in order to make a left hand turn onto Sunnyside Road. Ms. Ridgell was flown from the scene by Maryland State Police helicopter Trooper 7, to Prince Georges Shock Trauma, where she succumbed to her injuries.
BICYCLIST KILLED BY VEHICLE: On Saturday, July 11, at approximately 2:44 p.m., a blue 2008 Mazda M3I driven by Royal Kessick III, 47, of Richmond, Va. was traveling northbound on Three Notch Rd. north of Park Hall Rd. Hugo Gonzalez, 44, of St. Leonard, was riding a bicycle on the southbound shoulder of Three Notch Rd. heading towards Park Hall Rd. Kessick's vehicle crossed the southbound travel lane, onto the shoulder and into the path of Gonzalez's bicycle. Gonzalez was struck by the vehicle and thrown into the grass adjacent to the roadway. Gonzales succumbed to his injuries. Kessick's vehicle continued towards the wood line, struck a tree, overturned once and landing upright.
Kessick was flown by Eagle 1 to Medstar. Gonzalez was wearing a bicycle helmet. Initial investigation indicates alcohol is not believed to be a contributing factor. Members of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Collision Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.