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Fatal Collision on I-81

August 1st, 2012 by WCBC Radio

On Tuesday at approximately 3:10 PM, Troopers from the Hagerstown Barrack were dispatched to a two vehicle collision on S/B I-81 just south of State Line road. 

The at fault vehicle was a 2008 Ford Edge, driven by Brandon Scott Martz (20 yrs old) of Hagerstown, MD.   Mr. Martz  was traveling onto southbound I -81 from State Line road.  Mr Martz was accelerating as he merged from the ramp into the slow lane(lane 2) of southbound I -81.  Mr Martz then made an unsafe lane change and continued to move from the slow lane into the fast lane (lane 1) directly into the path of a 2011 Cadillac SRX which was being operated by Stanley Stankiewicz (83 yrs old) of Crystal River, Florida.  Mr Martz then struck the right front of the Cadillac with the left rear portion of his Ford causing the Ford to turn sideways into the front of the Cadillac.  The Cadillac subsequently lost control and swerved across the roadway over the embankment on the West side of I-81 and overturned numerous times.   The right front passenger in the Cadillac, Clara Magdalen Stankiewicz (80 yrs old) of Crystal River, Florida was seriously injured when the Cadillac overturned. Mr and Mrs Stankiewicz were both transported to the Meritus Medical Center for treatment.   Mrs Stankiewicz succumbed to her injuries from the crash and was pronounced deceased at 1743hrs

All occupants were wearing their seat belts and there does not appear to be any indication of alcohol or drugs being a contributing factor.   Charges are pending after consultation with the Washington County States Attorneys Office. The southbound lanes of I-81 were closed for approximately 2 hours.  The Maryland State Police were assisted by the Washington and Franklin county rescue services, and the Pennsylvania State Police. 

TFC J Bowers is the investigating trooper.

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