Head-On Crash Sends Three To Hospital

Three people were injured, one seriously, in a head-on crash on Route 32 at the Carroll-Howard county line, Thursday March 22.

Crews were dispatched at approximately 7:40 pm to the area of Route 32 and College Avenue for the crash. Sykesville Paramedic 129 arrived on scene and confirmed the crash between a conversion van and pickup truck to be on the bridge over the Patapsco River and CSX railroad tracks. The EMS crew also reported the drivers of the vehicles to be trapped. A third vehicle was located north of the bridge with a minor injury associated. Two MSP helicopters were requested to the scene. At the same time, Howard County was sending its rescue assignment of West Friendship's Engine 3-1 and Paramedic 3-5.

Deputy Chief Ed Ruch, Jr. arrived on the scene a short time later and established incident command. He requested Sykesville's second medic unit; and because of the dual entrapment also requested a second rescue squad, resulting in the dispatch of Ellicott City's Rescue Squad 2.

Sykesville's Rescue Squad 12 arrived and its crews quickly went to work using the Hurst "Jaws Of Life" to gain access to both drivers, who were quickly extricated. The driver of the conversion van suffered multi-systems trauma, including serious injuries to her lower extremities. The driver of the pickup truck amazingly escaped with only minor to moderate injuries. The two drivers were flown by MSP Troopers 3 & 8 to Shock Trauma, while the third patient was transported by ambulance to Carroll Hospital Center with minor injuries.

The Maryland State Police is investigating the crash.