Route 301 south of Waldorf may soon be known as the Highway of Death
CALIFORNIA, Md. (October 24, 2011)—A Pennsylvania man was killed early Sunday morning after driving the wrong way on Route 301 in Charles County, ultimately causing a 3 vehicle accident which included a tractor-trailer truck. Police identified the man as Eugene R. Katner, 40, of Hazle Township, Pa.
Maryland State Police investigators determined that Mr. Katner was driving a 1993 Isuzu Trooper southbound in the northbound lanes of Route 301 south of fairgrounds Road around 1:36 a.m. Katner's vehicle collided head-on with a 2007 Toyota Corolla driven by Randy Jerve Datcher, 34, of Nanjemoy. Shannelle Angela Marshall, 32, of Accokeek, was a passenger in the Corolla.
Police say that prior to the collision, Mr. Datcher attempted to take evasive maneuvers and in turn side-swiped a 2010 Peterbelt tractor and trailer which was traveling in the adjacent lane. The truck was driven by Roosevelt Raines, Jr., 40, of Chesterfield, Va.
Mr. Katner was transported from the scene to Civista Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased upon arrival.
Mr. Datcher and Ms. Marshall were transported to Baltimore Shock Trauma via Trooper 2 and Trooper 7 medevacs respectively. Police say the extent of their injuries at time of transport was unknown.
Mr. Raines received no injuries.