Driver allegedly ran a red light and then nearly struck a DNR Police vehicle head-on before finally crashing...police
suspect alcohol and speed as crash factors
PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. (April 18, 2011) — A single car accident early Sunday morning sent a 26-year-old Charlotte Hall man to P.G. Hospital, via Trooper 2 medevac helicopter, with closed head trauma and possible internal injuries. Police believe alcohol, speed, and wet road conditions are contributing factors in the accident.
The injured driver was identified as Dennis Lee Lavallee, Jr.
The accident occurred at approximately 1:08 a.m. on Md. Rt. 231 at the Benedict Bridge.
Police determined that Lavallee's 1997 Chevrolet Lumina went off the roadway and struck a telephone pole, incurring severe damage to the driver side. The vehicle continued on after striking the pole, rotating counter-clockwise and impacting a tree on the passenger side of the vehicle.
A correctional officer of the Calvert County Detention Center was traveling eastbound across the Benedict Bridge when he witnessed Lavallee's vehicle sliding out of control from the eastbound lane over the center line through the westbound lane. The officer observed Lavallee's vehicle strike the telephone pole on the driver's side then rotate and strike a tree.
Police believe Lavallee was reported to the Calvert Control Center a few minutes earlier, at 1:03 a.m., as a possible intoxicated driver.
Police determined that Lavallee first drove through the red light at the intersection of Md. Rt. 4 and Md. Rt. 231 traveling westbound toward the Benedict Bridge. Lavallee continued westbound on Md. Rt. 231 when he nearly struck a Department of Natural Resources Police vehicle head-on. According to statements from the two officers in the DNR vehicle, Lavallee passed them traveling westbound in the eastbound lane.
The investigation is being handled by DFC C. Childress, who can be reached at the Sheriff's Office at 410-535-2800.