On May 18, 2019, deputies from
the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 40900 block of New
Market Turner Road in the area of Rustin Family Way, for the reported motor
vehicle collision. Upon arrival a 2001
Chevrolet Cavalier, with three occupants, was located off the roadway into a
tree. The operator of the vehicle, Avery
Leslie Stokes, age 18 of Indian Head, and the front seat passenger Alexandra
Catherine Howard, age 18 of Mechanicsville, were flown to area trauma centers
for incapacitating injuries. The rear seat passenger, Thomas Edward Douglas,
age 63 of Mechanicsville, was pronounced deceased on scene. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene and continued the investigation.
Preliminary investigation determined the vehicle was traveling eastbound on New Market Turner Road when for
unknown reasons the vehicle crossed the centerline, overcorrected and left the
roadway striking a tree. At this time
driver error and lack of seatbelt usage appear to be contributing factors in
the fatal collision. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or any events leading
to the collision is asked to contact Corporal Brandon Foor at (301) 475-4200
extension *2265 or by email at Brandon.Foor@stmarysmd.com.
