THREE DEAD IN WORCESTER COUNTY CRASH UPDATE

(GIRDLETREE, MD) -- Maryland State Police are continuing their investigation into a single vehicle crash that killed three people from Virginia last night in southern Worcester County.

The deceased are identified as Nicole G. Earnest, 26, Amanda H. Phillips, 21, and Sean E. Mobley, 45, all of Chincoteague, Virginia. All three were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

At about 8:30 p.m. yesterday, Maryland State Police at the Berlin Barrack were called to respond to the scene of a single vehicle crash on Rt. 12, south of Onley Road. Fire and rescue personnel also responded to the scene and conducted rescue efforts. The Maryland State Police Crash Team was dispatched to the scene to conduct the investigation.

The preliminary investigation indicates the 1998 Acura TL, owned and driven by Nicole Earnest, had been traveling north on Rt. 12. Amanda Phillips was in the front seat and Sean Mobley was riding in the back. Evidence indicates the driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a curve in the road. The vehicle left the roadway and traveled through grass and mud before striking three trees. One of the trees was uprooted and cut in half, with part of the tree landing on top of the car.

The road was closed and a detour set up by State Highway Administration and fire department personnel. State Police investigators will be returning to the scene today to conduct additional examinations.

Family notifications occurred overnight. Notification assistance was provided by the Delaware State Police and the Chincoteague Police Department.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Maryland State Police Crash Team investigators will be conducting a detailed crash reconstruction.