Car Kills 6 Maryland Highway Construction Workers, Including a Father and Son

Emergency personnel work at the scene of a fatal crash along Interstate 695 on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, near Woodlawn, Md. Multiple people were killed when a passenger vehicle drove into a work zone along the Baltimore beltway and struck construction workers. AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Maryland State Police revealed the names of six highway workers, including a father and son, who were killed while working at a construction site outside of Baltimore on Wednesday. The men were killed when a car torpedoed through the construction zone after it collided with another vehicle on Interstate 695 in Baltimore County.

“Emergency medical personnel from the Baltimore County Fire Department pronounced six contractual highway workers deceased on the scene,” the Police said in a statement Thursday.

The victims are identified as Rolando Ruiz, 46; Carlos Orlando Villatoro Escobar, 43; Jose Armando Escobar, 52; Mahlon Simmons III, 31; Mahlon Simmons II, 52;  and Sybil Lee Dimaggio, 46. WTOP News confirmed the two Simmons were father and son.

Lisa Adrienna Lea, 54, of Randallstown, was identified as the driver who plowed an Acura sedan into the workers.

“The preliminary investigation indicates the driver of the Acura, later identified as Lea, was traveling in lane 2 at about 12:40 p.m. this afternoon when she attempted to change lanes,” police said in a statement. “As Lea attempted to move into lane 1, police believe her vehicle struck the front corner panel on the passenger side of the Volkswagen. Crash Team investigators believe this caused the Acura to lose control and subsequently travel into the work zone.”

While the driver of the Volkswagen, identified as 20-year-old Malachi Brown of Windsor Mill, did not sustain any injuries, Lea was taken to the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Shock Trauma Center for medical care.

According to the Maryland government’s data on crash fatalities, 563 deaths occurred in the fiscal year 2021, and 135 were “pedestrian” fatalities, like the crash that killed six construction workers.

However, that year’s total number of crashes was 108,656, and 28,084 resulted in injuries.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates transportation accidents, had investigators at the crash site on Thursday.

Their investigation will focus on “issues relating to speeding, work zone protection for construction workers, and collision avoidance technology,” an NTSB news release said Thursday afternoon.

“Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation and consultation with the Baltimore County State’s Attorney,” Maryland State Police said.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore responded to the loss of life on Twitter, saying, “My heart goes out to the victims and the families affected by the tragic crash on the 695 beltway this afternoon.”

Maryland Democrat Wes Moore talks to reporters on June 6, 2022, in Owings Mills, Md., after a Democratic primary debate for governor of Maryland. AP Photo/Brian Witte, File

“My office is in touch with local authorities and will continue to monitor the situation,” he added.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski said, “On behalf of all the residents of Baltimore County, we offer our sincere condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in today’s tragic crash and my prayers remain with those injured in this horrific incident.”

The police department said charges against Lea are pending.

“Once the investigation is complete, the Crash Team will submit its findings to the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for review to determine whether charges will be filed,” the State Police Release said.