Friday, March 11, 2016

PRESS RELEASE FOR FATAL MOTORCYCLE COLLISION

On March 10, 2016 at approximately 1635 hours members of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau and Crash Reconstruction Team responded to the intersection of Maryland Route 2-4  (Solomons Island Road South) and West End Boulevard, Port Republic, Maryland 20676 for a report of a motorcycle involved in a collision.  Due to the severity of the collision the Crash Reconstruction Team assumed the investigation into the events of the collision. 

During a preliminary investigation the following was determined:

On March 10, 2016 at approximately 1628 hours two sport bikes were observed by a deputy just north of Broomes Island Road traveling southbound on Maryland Route 2-4 at a high rate of speed.  One of the motorcycles was doing a wheelie at the time and both bikes were splitting lanes, traveling between vehicles.  The Deputy notified the control center of the observed violation and made a U-turn at the nearest crossover in order to conduct a traffic stop for the aforementioned violations.  After activating emergency equipment and attempting to stop the motorcycles, the riders of both sport bikes accelerated to speeds of approximately 130 to 140 miles per hour.  Both motorcycle riders appeared to be aware of the police vehicle presence and continued to travel southbound nearing Broomes Island Road.  Several deputies were in the area and upon noticing the additional police vehicle; both motorcycles made a U-turn at Broomes Island Road and proceeded northbound towards the busy Prince Frederick Town Center.  Deputies attempted to keep up with the motorcycles and observed one of the motorcycles, described as a blue/white and black in color, make a U-turn at Whispering Woods subdivision crossover and began to travel southbound on Maryland Route 2-4.  Several deputies, who were responding from the Prince Frederick area, continued to attempt to stop the motorcycle traveling southbound.

The second motorcycle, a black and yellow 2007 Honda, continued northbound towards the Prince Frederick Town Center.  As deputies attempted to get the operator to stop the motorcycle, the operator swerved all over the roadway, passing vehicles on the shoulder at speed exceeding 130 miles per hour.  Deputies had traffic stopped just prior to entering the Prince Frederick Town Center in an effort to stop the motorcycle. The motorcycle made a U-turn through the grassy median just south of the blocked intersection of Old Field Lane in Prince Frederick and proceeded southbound on Maryland Route 2-4.  The deputies continued to attempt to get the motorcycle to stop; however, due to the high rate of speed and fast acceleration, police vehicles had a difficult time following the motorcycle. 

The motorcycle continued southbound on Rt. 4 at a high rate being operated in a reckless manner, violating numerous traffic laws with blatant disregard for public safety, during the evening rush hour traffic.  As the motorcycle passed the intersection of Broomes Island Road, he passed two stationary police vehicles with lights and sirens activated, without stopping.  The motorcycle continued southbound where other deputies were located.  Due to the speed of the motorcycle and the wanton and willful disregard for the safety of the public the operator was displaying, deputies began stopping traffic at intersections the motorcycle was approaching in an effort to avoid crossover collisions. 

As the traffic volume was already heavy, due to the rush hour, several vehicles were stopped or nearly stopped at the intersection on Maryland Route 2-4 and West End Boulevard.  As the motorcycle approached slower traveling traffic, it struck the rear of a 2010 Toyota Rav-4, which was in the left turn lane for Western Shores Boulevard.  Upon striking the Toyota, the operator was ejected from his motorcycle and continued to travel in a southerly direction.  The operator then collided with the rear of a 2014 Ford F-150, which was stopped at the time.

Deputies immediately began rendering first aid to the operator who was unconscious, but breathing on his own.  While en-route, to Calvert Memorial Hospital the operator’s condition worsened and EMS staff began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while en-route to the hospital.  Upon arrival to the hospital the operator was assessed and pronounced dead by the CMH ER Staff.  The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore, MD will perform an autopsy in order to determine the exact cause of death.

The deceased operator was later identified as Troy Alexander English, a 20 year old male of Patuxent River, Maryland

The operators and occupants of other involved vehicles did not sustain significant injury.  All involved were evaluated on the scene by EMS.

It appears that reckless driving by English and speed are factors in this collision; however, the investigation is ongoing at this time.

During the course of the investigation the investigators identified the second motorcycle operator and are following up on that information.

It was determined that even prior to police contact the motorcycle operators were travelling at such high speeds that had they T-boned another vehicle, the likelihood of the crash resulting in death or serious bodily injury to the occupants would have been significant.


DFC Beisel of the Crash Reconstruction Team, along with other investigators, are investigating events that led up to this collision.  Anyone who may have witnessed the motorcycles in Calvert or St. Mary’s Counties is asked to contact DFC Beisel at 410-535-2800 ext. 8417 or beiselww@co.cal.md.us.  Individuals may also contact Sgt. V. Bortchevsky of Criminal Investigations Bureau at 410-535-2800 Ext. 2540 of bortchvi@co.cal.md.us with additional information.