DRIVER SOUGHT IN ANNE ARUNDEL CO. HIT AND RUN FATAL

(GLEN BURNIE, MD) – Maryland State Police are searching for the driver of a vehicle that struck and killed a man on I-295 near the Baltimore Beltway early this morning.

The victim is identified as Henry Smith, 71, of Laurel, Md. He was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy today at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore confirmed his death was the result of being struck by a vehicle.

Shortly before 3:00 a.m. today, Maryland State Police at the Glen Burnie Barrack received a call for a person walking in the roadway on northbound I-295 near I-695. A trooper responded to the area and found the victim lying in the fast lane of I-295, just south of I-695. EMS personnel responded and determined the victim was deceased.

State Police CRASH Team investigators responded to conduct the investigation. A description of the vehicle that struck the victim is unknown at this time. Troopers found broken pieces from a vehicle at the scene and they are being examined.

It is unknown why Smith was walking in the area at the time. No evidence was found that he had broken down while driving through the area and might have been walking for assistance. Investigators are still attempting to determine why he was in the area. He lived alone in Laurel, but troopers have located family members and are attempting to develop additional information from them.

Anyone who may have witnessed this hit and run, or who may have any information about the vehicle that struck Smith, or who may have had contact with Smith last night, is urged to contact Maryland State Police at the Glen Burnie Barrack at 410-761-5130.

State Police have requested assistance from the State Highway Administration in an effort to obtain information. Message boards are being placed along I-295 to urge anyone with information to contact State Police.

The investigation is continuing.