No one in the first of three vehicles involved was restrained by seat belts, including 2-year-old who was not in
a child seat.
CALLAWAY, Md. (Sept. 2, 2009)—Crystal Hall, 24, of Lexington Park, died as a result injuries sustained after her car was hit in the rear by a 2002 Ford F-350 driven by James Tippett, 39, of Piney Point, and subsequently pushed into the path of a third oncoming vehicle, according to police. The accident occurred Tuesday evening around 6:35 p.m.
Police say a 1994 Mercury Sable driven by Hall was stopped in the southbound travel lane of Point Lookout Road waiting to turn left onto Aster Drive. Tippett was traveling southbound on Point Lookout Road and attempted to pass Hall's vehicle on an improved shoulder, but struck the rear of Hall's vehicle. The impact sent Hall's vehicle into the path of oncoming traffic on northbound Point Lookout Road.
Hall's vehicle was struck head-on by a 1997 Mercury Marquise driven by Joseph Moschler III, 19, of Leonardtown, which was traveling northbound on Point Lookout Road. Moschler's vehicle caught fire, but was quickly extinguished.
Tippett and a juvenile passenger were not injured.
Moschler and a juvenile passenger were transported to St. Mary's Hospital.
Crystal Hall sustained severe injuries in the collision and went into cardiac arrest on scene. She was transported to St. Mary's Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
Catherine Hall, 51, of Lexington Park, was a front seat passenger in the Sable. She was transported to Prince George's Hospital Center.
Also in the Sable was a two-year-old male who was injured and transported to Children's Hospital. The infant was not restrained in a car seat, according to police. Police also say that neither Crystal Hall nor Catherine Hall were wearing seatbelts.
Police concluded that speed and alcohol were not contributing factors in the collision.
The accident was investigated by the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Collision Reconstruction Team. Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact DFC Michael George at 301-475-4200 ext. 2269.