VICTIMS IN MD 404 FATAL CRASH IDENTIFIED

Maryland State Police Press Release
04/21/2015

VICTIMS IN MD 404 FATAL CRASH IDENTIFIED

(Queen Anne’s, MD) – Maryland State Police have identified the three people killed in the early morning crash where a tractor trailer drove into oncoming traffic along MD 404 in Talbot County, Maryland.

The deceased driver of the westbound tractor trailer is identified as Brian Hutcheson, 38, of Ramer, Tennessee. Ramer was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel from the Talbot County Fire Department. He was the driver of the 2016 Mack tractor.

The deceased passenger of the 2016 Mack tractor is identified as Danielle Mumford, 24, of Delmar, Delaware. Mumford was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel from the Talbot County Fire Department. Hutcheson and Mumford were traveling with a pet dog that also died in the crash.

The deceased driver of the eastbound tractor trailer is identified as Terry Coward, 52, of Culpepper, Virginia. Coward was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel from the Talbot County Fire Department. He was the driver of the 2013 Kenworth tractor.

The driver of the other eastbound tractor trailer is identified as Michael Shovan, 52, of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. Shovan was not injured during the collision. He was driving a 2015 Freightliner tractor.

A preliminary investigation conducted by the Maryland State Police CRASH Team, with the assistance of troopers from the Easton Barrack, indicates that just before 7:00 a.m. this morning, Brain Hutcheson was driving a tractor trailer traveling westbound on MD 404 in the area of Church Lane. Ms. Mumford was a passenger in the vehicle. For reasons unknown, the vehicle crossed the double yellow lines into the oncoming traffic, side swiping another tractor trailer. The westbound tractor trailer continues in the eastbound lanes and struck another tractor trailer being driven by Terry Coward.

The head on collision caused Mr. Coward's tractor trailer to burst into flames. The vehicle became fully engulfed. None of the occupants of this collision could safely exit their vehicles.

After receiving a 9-1-1 call, troopers from the Easton Barrack responded along with members from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office. Emergency medical personnel were contacted and responded to the crash to assist. Talbot County Fire Department was immediately called and responded to handle the fire.

Due to the severity of the crash, MD Route 404 from U.S. 50 east to Church Lane was closed for several hours. The Department of the Environment was called to handle cleanup of the fuel spill. A State Police helicopter and canines from Washington, DC Fire Department were called to assist with a search to ensure all victims had been located. Road closures and detours were handled by State Highway Administration personnel.

Anyone who may have witnessed this crash is asked to contact Trooper First Class Gore at the Easton Barrack at (410) 819-4753.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.