On August 4th, 2016 at approximately 0129 hours
the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau and Crash Reconstruction Team
responded to the intersection of Maryland Route 4 and German Chapel Road for a report of a
serious motor vehicle crash. The crash involved a 2007 Chevrolet Corvette and a
2001 Mack trash truck (Waste Management).
Preliminary Investigation revealed the
following:
The trash truck was in the process of making a
left turn onto German Chapel Road from northbound Maryland Route 4 when it was
struck on the right rear tandem axle by the Corvette traveling southbound on
Maryland Route 4. The investigators were able to determine that the
Corvette was traveling at an extremely high rate of speed at the time of the
collision. The collision was so violent that the Mack truck
overturned onto its left side as a result of it.
During the investigation the driver of the Mack
truck was identified as Dennis Sierra, 57, of Naples Maryland. Sierra was
transported to Calvert Memorial Hospital where he was treated for injuries
sustained in the collision. The driver of the Corvette was
identified as Justin Allen Ruth, 27, of Lusby Maryland. Ruth sustained
major trauma during the collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Due to the involvement of a commercial motor
vehicle heavy recovery efforts were underway most of the night in order to
remove the Mack truck from the roadway. Waste Management officials
responded to the scene and cooperated with the Crash Reconstruction Team
investigators.
Based on the information available at this time
the speed at which Ruth was driving and possible alcohol impairment are
contributing factors to this collision; however, the final cause of the
collision remains under investigation.
Anyone who may have witnessed this crash is
asked to contact Sgt. V. Bortchevsky of CRT. Sgt. V. Bortchevsky
can be reached at 410-535-2800 Extension 2540 or via email:
bortchvi@co.cal.md.us.
