June 30th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

Type of Incident: Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision

Date and Time: 06/29/2016 – 1648hrs

Location: NB I-81 @ Rt 40

Vehicle(s): 7

Driver/passengers(s)/pedestrian:

Victim(s)/Injuries: 1 Flown to Shock Trauma – 5 Transported to Meritus Medical Center – 1 Deceased

Charges: Pending

 

Narrative: On the above date and time, a tractor trailer, driven by John Royce Richards, 69, of Great Cacapon, WV was NB on Interstate 81 in the area of Rt 40 when traffic slowed.  Mr. Richards failed to control his speed to avoid a collision with multiple other vehicles.  Jasmine Renee Rafter, 21 of Fairplay, MD, who was the right front passenger of a Mazda 6 which the tractor trailer struck first, was pronounced dead at the scene.  The tractor trailer then continued north striking several other vehicles. One patient was flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore by the Maryland State Police helicopter (Trooper 3) and five other patients were transported by Washington County EMS to Meritus Medical Center.

 

The Maryland State Police Crash Team, State Highway Administration, State’s Attorney’s Office and The Washington County Sheriff’s Dept. assisted on the scene.  Investigation is continuing.