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Saturday, May 16, 2020

One Killed, Two Off-Duty State Troopers Injured In Wicomico Co. Crash


(FRUITLAND, MD) — One person was killed and two off-duty state troopers were injured in a head-on crash involving three vehicles tonight in Wicomico County.
SBYNEWS
The deceased is identified as John M. Simmons, 62, of New York, NY. He was driving a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. He was transported from the scene to Peninsula Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

The two off-duty state troopers are identified as Trooper Graham King, 23, assigned to the Princess Anne Barrack, and Trooper Ashley Thoren, 25, assigned to the Salisbury Barrack. Both were riding together in a 2019 Ford Explorer unmarked Maryland State Police vehicle, driven by Trooper King.

Trooper King was transported by a Maryland State Police helicopter to the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center for treatment of his injuries. Trooper Thoren was transported by ambulance to Peninsula Regional Medical Center for treatment of her injuries. She was treated and released from the hospital late tonight and is recuperating at home.

A third vehicle involved in the crash was a 2017 Toyota Prius, occupied by Deborah and Kenneth Couture, of Salisbury, Md. Neither person reported any injuries.

Shortly after 7:00 p.m. tonight, Trooper Thoren called the Salisbury Barrack and reported the crash she and Trooper Graham had just been involved in on Rt. 513, south of Moonglow Road. Troopers from the Salisbury Barrack responded, as did county fire and EMS personnel. Both troopers had to be extricated from their vehicle by rescue personnel.
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The preliminary State Police investigation indicates the Hyundai driven by Simmons was southbound on Rt. 513, following the Toyota Prius on the two-lane roadway. The investigation indicates Simmons attempted to pass the Prius and crossed over the double yellow line into the northbound lane of Rt. 513.

Trooper King was northbound on Rt. 513 and attempted to move his patrol vehicle to the right to avoid colliding with the vehicle in his lane, but was struck head-on by the Hyundai. Following that impact, the Hyundai also struck the Prius it had been attempting to pass.

The Maryland State Police Crash Team responded and is conducting the ongoing investigation. Assistance was provided by Salisbury Barrack troopers, the Aviation Command, and MDOT State Highway Administration CHART personnel.

The investigation is continuing.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Slow down people.. good luck to troopers

Anonymous said...

Ditto.....,but people that pass on solid yellow lines aren’t the type to respect speed. Notice how people operate a vehicle today. They are the only one one the road, it’s their road and no need for concern or courtesy of others. 🙏

Anonymous said...

Too many New Yorkers from around NYC bring their pushy driving habits with them. They just don't seem to be able to chill.

TheRealRay said...

It's not even Memorial Day yet, and already the out of state tourist are killing themselves and anyone who gets in their way...

Anonymous said...

I feel bad for these troopers but I must ask a question. Why are two off duty troopers riding around in a state police car? Were they out on a date? What's going on here? I know cops use the police cars for personal use but this seems to be crossing the line.

Anonymous said...

Get over it 8 10
I m thankful they were not killed
Nothing wrong with them being in a vehicle together
What's it to you

Anonymous said...

8 10 Really? What part of personal use is confusing to you? Maybe they were on a date, that would be personal. Maybe they were traveling together for some other reason (helping someone in need). Don't be so hateful about everything, go find some sunshine today and be thankful it wasn't you in that car.

reliable source said...

Alot more to this story , people don't know yet !!

Anonymous said...

Maybe you should get details before spouting off like an idiot... and who the hell cares

Anonymous said...

8:10 - Even if there were on a date, troopers are allowed to use their PVSPs for personal use. What's the difference if it was two troopers in the vehicle or a trooper, his wife, and kids?

Anonymous said...

Crossing what line??? And specifically what business is it of yours??? If they have personal use then it is at their discretion as to when they drive their work car. Get a life Karen.

Anonymous said...

To answer your questions...because they can, who cares if they were, it's not my business, and nothing nefarious is going on. All of the MSP policy is available online.

Anonymous said...

Once their shifts end, they're off duty. They may have been heading back home.

Anonymous said...

810...maybe undercover...maybe heading to get under the covers.

WHY do you need to know EVERYTHING all the time?

Go walk on the boardwalk and report back to us.

Anonymous said...

MSP has the authority to use vehicles for personal use off duty and always have. As for two riding in the same vehicle while off duty would be the same and no concern of mine. If dating (lol) that is fine with me, but there are many reasons they would have been together besides dating. You choose whatever you like or go to the Shock Trauma Center and axe. I don’t give a hoot.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure there is but it will probably be covered up like most other incidents involving the state police.

Anonymous said...

Read the article 10:04, They work in different towns, kinda hard to car pool like that.

Anonymous said...

WOW, 8:10 struck a nerve with the cops that don't want to lose their free ride. I happen to agree and don't particularly like my tax dollars going for others personal use. It's time for the state police to take a look at this policy .

Anonymous said...

No doubt!!!!

Anonymous said...

It’s a death investigation. It better come out. Or there will be a lot of people in BIG trouble! Body cams have to come out eventually. It’s public record.

Anonymous said...

What makes anyone think they were "together"?? It was Friday at 7pm. Don't ppl work at that time or does everything shut down at 4! Get a life..stop ASSuming. They were two Troopers possibly working a crime that occured between Wicomico and Worcester county.

Anonymous said...

State police pay more in “tax dollars” then you do. Actually law enforcement pay towards their own salaries each day. I bet you don’t do that. Stop crying because you weren’t not man enough to be a gun fighter. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Do you know what off duty means 2:19? I know it's hard but try to understand the article before commenting.

Anonymous said...

“Working a crime?” Is that what it’s called now a days?

Anonymous said...

Let me type a little slower so you’ll be able to read this explanation taken from the article:
“.... two off-duty state troopers were injured in a head-on crash....”

Anonymous said...

1:05...maybe you should educate yourself. Troopers do not wear body cameras. Stop spouting off like a know it all and go back to mommy’s basement and eat another Hot Pocket while play Dungeons and Dragons with Jacques from Sweden.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Read the article 10:04, They work in different towns, kinda hard to car pool like that.

May 16, 2020 at 12:27 PM

Towns??? Are you people really that stupid?

Anonymous said...

1:05...just what is it you look for to “come out”? It already states the other vehicle was a bad actor and the MSP vehicle attempted to avoid the collision. You want blood, cut your wrist. Oh, reference your big trouble, little boys get in trouble. P.S., I am not a trooper, just a good ole Joe like Biden. A citizen that reads comments like yours for entertainment. Hard to make some of this chit up.

Anonymous said...

There is a reason the usage is allowed and it is to benefit you. If you don’t know, go find out. I’ll not advise you on visibility. Stay out of “big trouble “.

Anonymous said...

9:38 You sound like a real busybody, nosey, stir the pot kind of person. Mind your own damn business. We don't need your investigative reporting.

Anonymous said...

1:02. Troopers don’t, but the four other agencies that were there do!!!!!! Just wait.