(Queenstown, MD) – A pedestrian who walked into heavy traffic on a controlled-access highway while attempting to cross Route 50 in Queen Anne’s County this morning was struck by a state trooper and later died from his injuries.
The man is identified as James H. White, Jr., 70, of no fixed address. White had been living at the Chesapeake Motel on Rt. 50 in Queenstown.
At about 9:15 a.m. today, First Sergeant Livingston Banks, of the Maryland State Police, had just exited onto westbound Rt. 50 from Nesbit Road and was approaching exit 45A, at the Chesapeake Motel. First Sergeant Banks was driving his department issued 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer with the front lights on.
As he neared the large sign for exit 45A at Hissey Road, First Sergeant Banks observed vehicles on the three-lane westbound highway in front of him veer suddenly and slow abruptly. Without warning, a pedestrian, later identified as White, was in the trooper’s direct path of travel in the slow lane. The trooper attempted to stop immediately and took evasive action, but could not avoid the pedestrian. White was struck by the driver’s side headlight and bumper area of the vehicle.
The trooper was uninjured and immediately called for emergency medical services and notified the barracks of the crash. He then administered emergency care to White until an ambulance arrived. White was transported to Easton Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Maryland State Police CRASH Team responded to the scene and is conducting the continuing investigation. The preliminary investigation indicates pedestrian error was the cause of the crash and that White stepped from a traffic island at Hissey Road and Rt. 50 directly into traffic. Route 50 is a controlled access highway in that area and pedestrians are not permitted on the roadway in any area.
First Sergeant Banks is a 25-year-veteran of the Maryland State Police. He is assigned to the Automotive Safety Enforcement Division in headquartered in Glen Burnie.
Traffic was detoured around the scene for about four hours today as the investigation was conducted. State Highway Administration personnel coordinated the traffic detour.
Anyone who may have witnessed this crash this morning is urged to contact Maryland State Police at the Centreville Barracks at 410-758-1101.
what a shame there was also a person killed in galestown. he was hit by a car driven by a women who ran off the road. this man lived 79 yrs to be ran over and killed by a negligent driver
ReplyDeletelivingston banks is a fine individual and i hope he's doing ok and a shame for this mans family
ReplyDeleteSo the untrained driver was able to avoid the guy , but the trained cop was not????????????????? Speeding perhaps,like they ALWAYS DO?
ReplyDelete