A quiet Sunday afternoon in Sunderland turned tragic when a falling tree crashed onto a moving vehicle, killing two people and leaving another fighting for his life. The deadly accident happened on February 22, 2026, at approximately 4:44 p.m., along North Solomons Island Road (MD Route 2) near Aspen Wood Drive.
Deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a serious motor vehicle collision. When they arrived, they found a devastating sight. A vehicle traveling northbound on Route 2 had been struck by a large tree that suddenly fell into the roadway. Investigators believe the tree entered the road without warning, giving the driver little to no time to react.
Inside the vehicle were three adults: the driver, 60-year-old Michael Lee Simpson of Deale; front passenger, 43-year-old Virginia Marie Quesenberry of Chesapeake Beach; and rear passenger, 62-year-old James Randall Detoto Sr., also of Chesapeake Beach. All three were trapped inside the wrecked vehicle as emergency crews worked urgently to reach them.
Emergency medical personnel responded quickly, but the damage was severe. Simpson and Quesenberry were pronounced dead at the scene. Their sudden deaths have left family members, friends, and the wider community in deep shock and sorrow. What began as a routine drive ended in unimaginable loss.
Detoto was rescued from the wreckage and transported to a local trauma center with critical injuries. As of now, his condition remains serious. Authorities have not released further updates on his status but say the investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Officials are asking anyone who may have information about the incident or events leading up to the collision to come forward. Those with details are urged to contact DFC Samuel Grierson at 301-956-4488 or by email at Samuel.Grierson@calvertcountymd.gov. As investigators work to determine exactly what caused the tree to fall, the community mourns two lives lost in a heartbreaking and unexpected tragedy.
