DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND STATE POLICE
BARRACK "E" SALISBURY
2765 N. SALISBURY BLVD.
SALISBURY, MD. 21801
410-749-3101 FAX 410-548-5191
Fatal Collision
DATE & TIME: 01-03-09 @ 0250 hrs C C. CARD NUMBER: 09-54-000059
Veh. #1/Driver #1: Brian Thomas Phillips, age 25, of 10000 block of Riverton Road, Mardela Springs.
Veh #1/Passenger #1: Duante Terrel Lankford, age 24, last known address of 27000 block Edgewood Cir, Salisbury.
LOCATION: Memory Gardens Lane south of Spring Hill Lane.
BRIEF RESUME:
On the above date and time, Troopers from the Maryland State Police responded to a single-vehicle collision involving a Ford pickup on Memory Gardens Lane south of Spring Hill Lane. The roadway was slick due to ice buildup causing the vehicle to run off of the road, striking a tree. As a direct result of the collision the passenger was pronounced dead. The driver was transported to PRMC for treatment of injuries. A blood alcohol kit was administered on the driver. Ongoing investigation is being conducted by the MSP Crash Team. Charges are pending.
Editors Update: It's my understanding that it was the driver's Birthday and the driver will be charge with a DUI.
Photos Courtesy of Wayne Barrall of Fire In The Hole Photography.
That corner has claimed the life of a few people. Sorry for your lose, 24 is awfully young.
ReplyDeleteOh my God!!! He will no longer be able to celebrate his birthday but will always remember it as the night his actions took his friends life.Please keep BOTH families in prayer.
ReplyDeletejoe
ReplyDeleteDo you have any more of an update than your first post.I know Brian Phillips and his family.Keep up your great reporting.
This is so sad, for both.
ReplyDeletePlease everyone pray for BOTH families. As a community we should come together in times like this.
ReplyDeleteI cant imagine the heartache on both families right now. Prayer is a powerful tool.
drinking and driving,,, You get what you pay for,, We will never learn,, Like the people who left the wake for their brother, who died from Cancer and all lit up outside the funeral home,, We are bound to lose
ReplyDeleteFind your mirror and you can win, all the answers are in your mirror. Sometimes it hurts. The decisions we make, dictate the lifes we lead. But no-one deserves to go at 24. To his family, strangers like me can feel your sorrow, maybe can soak some of it up to lighten your load. Memories never die.
ReplyDeleteI still miss my frien Paul Kroupa, alot.
ReplyDeleteJoe, we warned everyone of the Black Ice last night....
ReplyDeleteRIP Duante aka Gate.. You are in our hearts forever and will be missed dearly!
ReplyDeleteR.I.P Gator
ReplyDeleteDuante and Brian both grew up with my family and I can tell you this, they were best friends and where ever they were going was sure to be a mutual ride. They are always together everyday and have been for quite sometime. It is all very upsetting and sad to say the least. However, it's not the time to point fingers. Both of them are very sweet guys! All things happen for a reason in my beliefs. I am sure some of you can think back to a time when you and your friends were riding around drinking as well. Well, you were lucky. It is a tremendous loss to our family and to Brian and Duante's as well. RIP gate! You were our brother and will always be. Brian, keep your head up. We all love you!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame. They are both friends of mine, but they were attached at the hip. Brian has to live with this the rest of his life, every day, every birthday!He is grieving as am i and the rest of the family. I hope the state knows this was an accident, and will take in to consideration all that has been lost thus far.RIP Gate. I LOVE YOU!!!
ReplyDeleteUm..Anonymous 1:07...it's NEVER an ACCIDENT when you CHOOSE to drink and drive. People need to realize that. Poor decisions result in horrific outcomes. You are held accountable for your decisions and actions. Period.
ReplyDeleteCause of the accident was reported to be because of ICE! Alcohol was just a factor none of which anyone is even certain of at this point. If this was your family member of friend, would you feel the same? Do not point fingers untill you have the facts and even after, take into consideration the feelings of the family and friends on both sides. Opinions are just that. Some should be kept to themselves.
ReplyDeleteAnon 3:50...thousands of other cars drove on the roads that night with ice on them and they didn't wreck now did they? Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that slows your reaction time and impairs your ability to make rapid decisions. It says that the roads were icy and that is a "contributing factor". I will guarantee you that alcohol will also be a "contributing factor". Please don't get on here and try to justify drinking and driving. I know you are not that ignorant. Bottom line is this...if he was sober, maybe he wouldn't have wrecked. We will never know. But, he wasn't sober. It is a FACT that he wrecked while intoxicated and a passenger was killed.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I will not argue with you. I have two friends that totaled their car and know a paramedic that also wrecked her car. I am NOT excusing anything and being as close to them as I am, I am pretty sure that there were many factors, however, I am not God nor a judge. I just don't see the reason for pointing fingers right now. It will soon all be out anyway. This is supposed to be a time for mourning the loss of a loved one. And what is the purpose of putting Duante's criminal record on here? Does it have to do with that night? Does it really matter now? You must be one of the few perfect ones sent down to criticize everyone else's faults. Did you know either one of them? Is your opinion going to make a difference or bring him back? I doubt it. So what is the reason for bashing someone no longer here? Everyone in the world knows that drinking and driving is illegal. But in my OPINION, it was an accident. I doubt that Brian intended any of that so in turn, that does make it an accident. Wether it was right or wrong. PERIOD.
ReplyDeleteTo Mr.Perfect,
ReplyDeleteOr anonymous,whom ever you may be.Anonymous2 has a point, post Duante,s quote criminal record.Sounds like me at his age and probrally you to Mr.Perfect.Go ahead and post you great "states attorney's" record up here.Can we say gun control!You should be ashame of yourself.Never had a drink and drove, think most of us have 4in5 to be correct.Look in the mirror and around yourself.Let these people grieve,jerk.
Both of the boys involved in this accident are friends of mine and yes since everyone is so worried about it they might have been in some trouble in their lives but that doen't mkae there life any less valuable than yours. Trust me there will most like be more people at Gate's funeral than yours. I dont understand why people feel the need to go online and talk bad about people that they dont even know, what makes you so perfect that you can judge??? Things happen and once there done you can only say what if you cant change them. Theres no need to point fingers or try to make this any worse. Many people have got behind the wheel of a car a thought they were ok to drive, Gate just wasnt lucky enough to make it home. Believe me he'll make a great angel to someone and hopefully he'll keep them from doing what he did. This was a terrbile thing and an accident, no matter what the contributing factors are. People need to realize that the things they say are hurtful and crude. Doesn't anybody have self respect and dignity anymore. I hope nothing like this happens to you or someone you love I'm sure there all as perfect as you are though so try not and worry.
ReplyDeleteOK, it's time for me to jump in here. Look, someone had died here and everyone needs to respect that. Use your real name or your comment gets rejected from here on out.
ReplyDeleteyou cant expect people to do that. or was it the states attorney thing
ReplyDeleteDid I say anything about the States Attorney? NO.
ReplyDeleteThis is about showing some respect for those grieving, Idiot!
If "I" had a problem with the States Attorney thing, don't you think I would have rejected it.
Stop being such a fool and quit attacking these people.
My Blog, my rules!
I knew Duante and i know Brian,and i never would have believed i would be typing that very sentence.With that being said, this is such a huge lost for all involved.And in my personal opinion a loss for all.Rarely do you have the chance to meet someone as sweet and genorous as Gate was.And i truely mean that.He was shy,caring,and most of all honest with you.One thing is for sure he would let you know what he was thinking,but always in a good way.I never witnessed him critisize anyone. If he had something to say it was positive. He will always hold a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeletethanks for stepping in joe.enjoy what you do.appriecate the none byist approach.
ReplyDeleteThank you Joe. I really do not want to use my name if that is okay. I have said all I needed to say. Thank you for letting me do so. RIP DUANTE T. LANKFORD 01/03/2009
ReplyDeleteThe record has been removed. While these are a matter of public record, I always allow them on Posts. I did not know it was on this post however and it has been respectfully removed. Forgive me for having it up in the first place? I simply didn't put two and two together. No excuses, I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joe!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your respect. You are very kind.
ReplyDeleteLet me clear this up. I meant to say, if you're going to go on the attack you will use your name or your comment will be rejected.
ReplyDeleteThanks for getting rid of that.And thanks for appologize.
ReplyDeleteI mean, to think that someone would attack someone else who cannot defend themself, what's wrong with some of you people! I say my peace with the Mayor, I use my name. I say my peace with the Chief of Police, I use my name. If YOU can't use your name, go away and please don't come back. There are plenty of Anti Albero Bloggers getting 20 hits a day that could use your business.
ReplyDeleteLMAO...so true
ReplyDeleteSomeone just made a lengthy comment and I'm sure they're back here awaiting it to get posted.
ReplyDeleteI stated earlier, unless you put your name to your comment it will be rejected. You are accusing a lot of people. If you have an issue, call the Sheriff's Department and report what you know. It will NOT be done here. Unless you want to put a name to it, that is.
Joe can you post the info on the funeral when you get it..Im sure you can get it out there for everyone to know before the Daily Times =)
ReplyDeleteI knew neither of these two boys, but from the comments I've read, it seems as though they are loved. This is such a tragic story and my thoughts and prayers go out to all of the family and friends of these two boys and for Brian himself. I don't know if alcohol was involved but if it was then he will have to live with this the rest of his life, and that will be punishment enough. There have been many "judges" that have posted here, many people that act as though they have never made mistakes. I am one of the lucky ones; lucky because when I was younger there were too many times that I drove while under the influence with my best friend in the passenger seat. I as well have been the best friend in the passenger seat. It could have happened to me, it could happen to anyone, you just don't think that it's going to happen to you. I'm not condoning drinking and driving, it is wrong, but people make mistakes, ALL of us make mistakes, that is what makes us human. Again, I don't know if alcohol was involved, but either way, I am truly sorry for the loss to these families and friends, and I am truly sorry for Brian, who will have to live with this the rest of his life, whether he was drinking or not. May God bless all of you and help you get through this.
ReplyDeleteTO WHOM WAS INTERESTED IN THE FUNERAL IT WILL BE FRIDAY AT 2PM IN SHARPTOWN AT ZION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. THERE WILL BE 2 VIEWINGS ONE THURSDAY FROM 6 TO 8 PM. AND ONE FRIDAY FROM 12 TO 2 PM. AND FOR WHO EVER DIDNT KNOW DUANTE OR BRIAN FROM A FAMILY MEMBER PLEASE LEAVE UR NASTY COMMENTS TO URSELF. THESE WERE BOTH GREAT MEN. VERY LOVING AND CARING. THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING IN THE WORLD FOR U. THEY NEITHER ONE DESERVED THIS TO HAPPEN. BUT GOD HAS A PLAN AND NOW GATOR AKA DRACIS IN A BETTER PLACE WATCHING OVER EVERYONE. AND GATOR WOULD OF NEVER TALKED ABOUT U LIKE THIS ANONYMUS? THANKS FOR ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT FROM EVERY ONE.
ReplyDelete