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Maryland highway agency cited for 'serious violation' connected to crash that killed 6 highway workers
Maryland highway agency cited for ‘serious violation’ connected to crash that killed 6 highway workers
Kate Ryan | kryan@wtop.com
October 17, 2023, 5:50 PM
Traffic control signs to warn drivers and protect workers were not posted near a work zone where six highway workers were killed along Interstate 695 in Baltimore County, Maryland, in March.
Maryland’s Occupational Safety and Health Office cited the State Highway Administration with a “serious violation,” which, according to the report, is a violation “where there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result.” ... The report, issued Sept. 21, also stated that the failure to place the signs near the work zone near Woodlawn left the work crew there exposed to “struck-by hazards.” ... There are no penalties associated with the citation.
{snip}
Six people, including two brothers and a father and son, were among those killed in the crash March 22. The victims were Rolando Ruiz, 46, of Laurel, Sybil Lee Dimaggio, 46, of Glen Burnie, Carlos Orlando Villatoro Escobar, 43, of Frederick, his brother Jose Armando Escobar, 52, also of Frederick, Mahlon Simmons II, 52, of Union Bridge and his son, Mahlon Simmons III, 31. ... Two drivers, who police said were speeding along the stretch of I-695 approaching the work zone collided, before one of the cars, driven by 54-year-old Lisa Lea of Randallstown, entered the work zone and struck the six members of the highway crew inside the work zone.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report in the crash and found that the drivers of both cars were reportedly speeding before colliding. The posted speed in the area was 55 mph.
{snip}
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story misstated the retired Maryland State Highway Administration engineer quoted in the story. His name is Gene Simmers. The story has been corrected.
Kate Ryan
As a member of the award-winning WTOP News, Kate is focused on state and local government. Her focus has always been on how decisions made in a council chamber or state house affect your house. She's also covered breaking news, education and more.
kryan@wtop.com
@KateRyanWTOP
Kate Ryan | kryan@wtop.com
October 17, 2023, 5:50 PM
Traffic control signs to warn drivers and protect workers were not posted near a work zone where six highway workers were killed along Interstate 695 in Baltimore County, Maryland, in March.
Maryland’s Occupational Safety and Health Office cited the State Highway Administration with a “serious violation,” which, according to the report, is a violation “where there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result.” ... The report, issued Sept. 21, also stated that the failure to place the signs near the work zone near Woodlawn left the work crew there exposed to “struck-by hazards.” ... There are no penalties associated with the citation.
{snip}
Six people, including two brothers and a father and son, were among those killed in the crash March 22. The victims were Rolando Ruiz, 46, of Laurel, Sybil Lee Dimaggio, 46, of Glen Burnie, Carlos Orlando Villatoro Escobar, 43, of Frederick, his brother Jose Armando Escobar, 52, also of Frederick, Mahlon Simmons II, 52, of Union Bridge and his son, Mahlon Simmons III, 31. ... Two drivers, who police said were speeding along the stretch of I-695 approaching the work zone collided, before one of the cars, driven by 54-year-old Lisa Lea of Randallstown, entered the work zone and struck the six members of the highway crew inside the work zone.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report in the crash and found that the drivers of both cars were reportedly speeding before colliding. The posted speed in the area was 55 mph.
{snip}
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story misstated the retired Maryland State Highway Administration engineer quoted in the story. His name is Gene Simmers. The story has been corrected.
Kate Ryan
As a member of the award-winning WTOP News, Kate is focused on state and local government. Her focus has always been on how decisions made in a council chamber or state house affect your house. She's also covered breaking news, education and more.
kryan@wtop.com
@KateRyanWTOP