On February 16, 2014 at approximately 1805 hours members of
the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau and Crash Reconstruction Team
responded to the Thomas Johnson Bridge in Solomons, Maryland for a report of a
serious motor vehicle crash involving three vehicles. The Thomas Johnson Bridge
was covered in snow.
Preliminary investigation revealed a 1997 Toyota Camry was
traveling southbound on the Thomas Johnson Bridge. The Toyota Camry lost
control on the snow covered bridge and slid sideways into the northbound travel
lane. A 2004 Jeep Wrangler was traveling northbound on the bridge struck the
Toyota Camry in the passenger side. After the first collision, a 2004 Toyota
Highlander traveling southbound on the bridge struck the front of the Jeep.
The 2004 Jeep Wrangler was operated Kenneth George Steffey,
a 47 year old male of Lusby, who sustained minor injuries. Steffey was transported to MedStar St Mary’s
Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and released.
The 2004 Toyota Highlander was operated Davar Mitchel Faulk,
a 35 year old male of Lexington Park, who sustained no injuries. Faulk was able to drive away from the scene.
The 1997 Toyota Camry was operated by Racheal Mary Keaton, a
50 year old female of Lexington Park.
Keaton sustained multiple injuries and was transported to MedStar St
Mary’s Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Keaton was pronounced deceased by the
Hospital Emergency Room Staff.
Driver error on the part of Rachel Keaton and the snow
covered bridge are major contributing factors to this collision.
DFC R. Wilson of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Crash
Reconstruction Team is conducting the investigation into the events leading up
to the collision. Anyone with additional
information regarding the incident are asked to contact DFC R. Wilson of CRT at
410-535-2800 or via e-mail at wilsonrs@co.cal.md.us
