A tragic late-night crash in Prince George’s County has claimed the lives of two people after a car collided with a large semi-truck along a busy highway. Authorities say the devastating accident happened just before midnight Monday in the community of Brandywine, leaving investigators working to determine exactly what went wrong.
According to the Maryland State Police, the crash occurred on the southbound lanes of U.S. Route 301 near Brandywine Road. Troopers said both vehicles involved—a Nissan passenger car and a Freightliner semi-truck—were traveling in the same direction when the crash happened. For reasons that are still unknown, the Nissan struck the rear of the semi-truck with significant force.
Emergency crews quickly responded to the scene after the crash was reported. When first responders arrived, they found that the impact had caused fatal injuries to the occupants of the Nissan. Authorities confirmed that the driver of the car, identified as Douglas Orlando Smith, 39, died at the scene as a result of the crash.
A passenger who was traveling with Smith also tragically lost their life in the collision. Officials have not yet released the passenger’s identity as they work to notify family members and loved ones. The sudden loss has left families grieving while authorities continue to gather details about the deadly crash.
The driver of the Freightliner semi-truck was not injured during the incident, according to police. However, the crash caused major disruption along the highway. Authorities closed several southbound lanes of U.S. 301 for nearly five hours overnight while investigators examined the scene and crews worked to clear the wreckage.
State police say the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Troopers will review evidence from the scene and consider several possible factors, including speed, driver awareness, and road conditions at the time of the collision. Officials are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information to contact investigators as they work to determine what led to the tragic loss of two lives.
