CHESTERTOWN — The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the ongoing investigation into yesterday’s three-vehicle collision that killed one driver and sent another driver and his passenger to an area hospital for treatment of what were described as non-life-threatening injuries.
Charles Ekstrom, 85, of Sudlersville was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a news release from the Maryland State Police.
The crash occurred at about 3:45 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 on state Route 291 in the area of a local landmark known as the Blue Bridge near Chestertown.
According to the preliminary report, Ekstrom, operating a Toyota Camry, was traveling westbound on Route 291 (Morgnec Road) near Maiden Lot Farm Lane when for reasons that have not been determined he crossed the double yellow center lane. Ekstrom’s car traveled into the eastbound lane where it struck a Chevy pickup truck and subsequently struck a Ram pickup truck head-on, according to the initial report.
The driver of the Ram pickup truck, identified as a 19-year-old male, and his passenger, identified as a 20-year-old female, were transported by ambulance to the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown.
Route 291 was closed for about two hours for the crash investigation.
Personnel from the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration assisted with the road closure.