Great Mills Collision Under Investigation

 

On Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020 at 1:45pm, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the area of Flat Iron Road and Ryan Lane in Great Mills for the reported motor vehicle collision. Upon arrival, deputies located a single vehicle off the roadway into a tree with the operator suffering from severe incapacitating injuries. Due to the operator’s injuries a request for the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Collision Reconstruction Unit was made.

Preliminary investigation determined a 2008 Nissan Frontier, operated by Francis Tu Pham, age 71 of Lexington Park, was traveling northbound on Flat Iron Road when the operator lost control while negotiating a curve in the roadway. The vehicle continued off the roadway striking a tree. The operator was transported to Baltimore Shock Trauma Center by Maryland State Police Helicopter and remains in critical condition.

At this time, speed and roadway conditions are considered to be contributing factors.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or events leading up to the collision and have not provided a statement are asked to contact Cpl. Brian Connelly at 301-475-4200 ext. 78031 or by email at brian.connelly@stmarysmd.com.

Fatal Collision in Charlotte Hall Under Investigation

On December 20, 2020, at approximately 12:24 a.m. deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 29800 block of Three Notch Road, in the area of Golden Beach Road in Charlotte Hall, for the reported motor vehicle collision. Deputies arrived on scene and found both involved vehicles on fire. The fires were extinguished and one of the vehicle operators was pronounced deceased on scene. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene and continued the investigation.

Investigation determined a 2004 Cadillac CTS, operated by Joseph Marvin Swann, age 39 of Waldorf, was traveling northbound on Three Notch Road, at a high rate of speed. The Cadillac struck a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, also traveling northbound, operated by Ian Raymond Tahtinen, age 23 of Waldorf. The impact caused both vehicles to catch fire and leave the roadway. Tahtinen succumbed to his injuries on scene. Swann was transported to an area hospital with incapacitating injuries.

At this time speed and alcohol/drugs are considered contributing factors in the collision. Anyone who witnessed the collision or any events leading to the collision is asked to contact Deputy First Class Jason Smith at (301) 475-4200 extension 72328 or by email at Jason.Smith@stmarysmd.com.

Citizens may remain anonymous and contact Crime Solvers at (301) 475-3333, or text a tip to “TIP239” plus their message to “CRIMES” (274637). Through the Crime Solvers Program tipsters are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in St. Mary’s County that leads to an arrest or indictment.

 

                                                

Identity Needed for Theft Suspect

 

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the identity of the person shown in a theft investigation. On Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020 at 10 am and again on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020 at 3 pm, the suspect entered the Hollywood McKay’s Market and Café and then proceeded to the liquor section. On both of these dates, the suspect placed two bottles of whiskey in his pants and then left the store without paying for the liquor.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect or this incident is asked to call Deputy Michael Graves at 301-475-4200, ext. 78101 or email michael.graves@stmarysmd.com. Case #s 74750-20 and 76997-20

Citizens may remain anonymous and contact Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333, or text a tip to “TIP239” plus their message to “CRIMES” (274637). Through the Crime Solvers Program tipsters are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in St. Mary’s County that leads to an arrest or indictment.

 

Fatal Collision in California Under Investigation

  

On Monday, Dec. 7, 2020 at around 1:15 p.m., deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a multiple motor vehicle collision with injuries in the area of Three Notch Road and Wildewood Boulevard in California. Deputies arrived on scene where five vehicles were involved in the collision. Two people had incapacitating injuries and both subjects were flown to Prince George’s Shock Trauma.

On Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office learned the condition of one of the patients had worsened. The collision was then assigned to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Collision Reconstruction Unit. Investigation determined a black 2003 Chevrolet Blazer operated by Michael Shane Wilkerson, age 43 of Ridge, was traveling northbound on Three Notch Road in the area of Wildewood Boulevard. For unknown reasons, the Blazer left its lane of travel and struck a white 2016 Ford Explorer. The Explorer was then pushed into two other vehicles before a fifth vehicle was involved in the collision.

Wilkerson and Geraldine Florence McClanahan, 75 of Prince Frederick who was a passenger in the Explorer, were flown out to the trauma center after the collision. McClanahan succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020.

At this time, speed does not appear to be a factor in the collision.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or any of the events leading up to the it is asked to contact Corporal Christopher Beyer at 301-475-4200 ext. 78004 or at christopher.beyer@stmarysmd.com.