From Maryland State Police:
Maryland State Police are continuing their investigation into a wrong way crash on I-695 in Baltimore County early this morning that killed both drivers.
The first victim is identified as Jorene Long, 88, of York, PA. She was the driver and sole occupant of a 2003 Subaru Forester. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The second victim is identified as Sedrick L. Beasley, 54, of Edgewood, Md. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was driving a 2017 Ford Focus.
According to the preliminary investigation, Maryland State Police at the Golden Ring Barrack received a call just before 2:00 a.m. today reporting a vehicle traveling the wrong way on I-695 at I-795. Moments later, another call was received reporting a crash on the inner loop of I-695 at Liberty Road.
Troopers responded and found two vehicles were involved in the crash. The preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle driven by Long was traveling the wrong way on the inner loop and struck the oncoming vehicle head-on. It is unknown at this time where Long entered the inner loop of I-695 headed in the wrong direction.
Troopers learned from Long’s family that she left her residence yesterday afternoon on an errand. When she did not return home last night, her family reported her missing to police in Pennsylvania.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team is conducting a detailed crash reconstruction. The investigation is continuing.
JFC….88 years old driving on the wrong side of the beltway at 2 in the morning.
We really need to make everyone over 70 retake the written and driving tests every three years to renew their license.
True Incident.
Back when I was living in Virginia I was in line at the DMV Express to renew my registration, standing behind an elderly woman. I was about to advance to the window when she cut back in and asked for a handicap sticker for her car. The attendant ask “Why she needed a handicap sticker?” To which she responded, “I’m legally blind.”
… and you wonder why insurance rates are so high?
What an idiot. How many lives did this moron endanger?
What a dumb comment. Clearly this was an instance of an elderly person who’s mental capacities are/were deteriorating. I mean, come on! An 88 year old person leaves home in the afternoon, doesn’t return by nightfall, is clearly still out there at 2am. What do you think granny was doing? Scoring smack down in west Baltimore? Don’t be an idiot.
Sorry, she was an imbecile. No sympathy for drivers who don’t deserve to be on the road.
Granny killed herself, and luckily no innocent victims.
Did you read the article? She killed an innocent man from Edgewood.
My apologies, I missed that.
If this driver survived, she deserved the death penalty. Disgusting woman.
She was not a “disgusting woman,” Lila Parker. Yes, it is now obvious that she shouldn’t have been driving, but she, unfortunately, was not aware of this fact. Then she got confused & drove very far from home….and, most likely was very scared & desperately trying to get home…when this deadly accident occurred. But it was an “accident”….it was not an “on-purpose.” It is a tragedy. Yes, older folks should not be permitted to continue to drive when they are not capable; but she did not know she wasn’t able to drive safely & sadly caused a deadly accident. I feel very sorry for all of the families involved. My sympathies to you all…. And you, Lila Parker, sound to be more of Disgusting Woman.
If she had known issues and her family enabled her I hope they are all held financially liable.Seems like everyday we see a silver alert on the news, there are people and places available to help with issues like this. No excuse.
I agree! Hope they also pay the state government for the costs to any roads. Hit ’em in the pocketbook. No sympathy from me.
It’s not just elderly people that drive the wrong way on highways. I’ve seen on the news lately at least three drivers who crashed into buildings, stepping on the gas instead of the brake and I don’t think any of them were elderly. Drivers of all ages are careless these days.
Taking the keys from a parent is very difficult. Removing a part of their independence is a huge step. They do not want to give it up.. The children excuse it by saying; Dad goes 2 miles to the store…done for 40 yrs. no big deal. Well this is the outcome. They have to live with and are culpable to homicide.
Very sad all around.
Imagine the fear she was exposed to. Driving around lost, panic stricken Imagine a 5 yr old lost in a city, same thing. She did not want to be there. The family let society and their Mother down. Whether they didn’t want to be the bad guy or couldn’t be inconvenience with taking Mom to the store regularly? Doesn’t matter.
Terrible shame!