CALIFORNIA, Md. (September 28, 2011)—A Lexington Park man was killed as a result of being struck by an automobile Tuesday night around 8:56 p.m. in the southern part of St. Mary's County. Police say Clinton Wayne Rankin, Jr., 29, of Lexington Park, was walking in the travel portion of northbound Maryland Route 5 in the area of Janeen Lane in Park Hall when he was hit by a northbound 2001 Chevrolet Malibu, operated by Stephanie Marie Lee, 22 of Lexington Park. Police say Mr. Rankin was walking in a very dark area and wearing dark non-reflective clothing.
After Ms. Lee struck Mr. Rankin, she pulled to the northbound shoulder of the road where she brought her vehicle to a stop. Mr. Rankin's body came to rest in the northbound lane of Route 5. A 2001 Nissan Altima, operated by Michael Quinn Virga, 21 of Germantown, was traveling on northbound Route 5. Mr. Virga's vehicle ran over Mr. Rankin's body.
No one in either of the vehicles was injured as a result of the crash.
Mr. Rankin was pronounced deceased on the scene.
The preliminary police investigation indicates the primary cause of the crash was Mr. Rankin illegally walking in the roadway. There was no evidence to indicate that speed, alcohol or drugs were contributing factors in the crash.
The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Crash Reconstruction team conducted the investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact Corporal Doug Mills at 301-863-4816 Ext. 1456.
Mr. Rankin's death is the latest in a series of fatal pedestrian accidents in the tri-county area. Just last Thursday a 25-year-old Waldorf man was killed by a truck as he was illegally crossing Route 301 in Waldorf.