July 4th, 2017 by WCBC Radio

On July 4, 2017 at 10:16 PM officers from the Cumberland City Police Department were dispatched to Interstate 68 W/B near exit 42 (Greene Street) for a motor vehicle accident involving injuries.  One vehicle was reported to be a rollover with the operator still inside the vehicle.  Cumberland City Fire Department along with Deputies from the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office also responded to shut down all three lanes of Interstate 68 W/B.  When officers arrived on the scene the operator of the at fault vehicle was identified as Robert Andrew Keech, age 38 of Cumberland, Maryland.  Keech was treated at the scene and later transported to the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center for non life threatening injuries.  During an investigation into the accident officers interviewed several witnesses and victims involved in the crash.  Officers learned that a high amount of traffic was backed up following the Fourth of July fireworks in the city of Cumberland.  As Mr. Keech approached the area where traffic was stopped it was reported that his vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed.  Mr. Keech lost control of his vehicle rear ending a vehicle stopped in lane three.  As a result of the collision the stationary vehicle was turned sideways and pushed into lanes 1 and 2 of the interstate.  Mr. Keech’s vehicle began to roll in lanes 1 and 2 striking a third vehicle causing minor damage.   Several vehicles were towed from the interstate which remained closed for approximately 50 minutes.  Mr. Keech was issued numerous citations as a result of the accident.

 

Charges: Failure to obey traffic control device, Changing lanes when unsafe, Negligent Driving, Following vehicle closer than reasonable and prudent, Failure to reduce speed, Driving vehicle in excess speed on highway collision, Failure to control vehicle speed on highway to avoid a collision and Exceeding maximum posted speed.