Multi-Vehicle Crash on I-81 in Hagerstown Results in Injuries and Death

Incident Information

On Friday morning, tragedy struck on Maryland’s I-81. Two people lost their lives, and three more were injured in a crash that involved not just two vehicles, but also four tractor-trailers. Authorities arrived at the scene around 9:40 a.m., working to understand the details of the devastating collision. Despite the best efforts of medical teams, The occupants of a Chevrolet Tahoe, Wesley Merrick, 55, and Alicia Eve Cornell, 46, both from Wellsville, New York, could not be saved.

According to authorities, Merrick had been driving the vehicle at the time with Cornell in the left backseat, and unfortunately, two other passengers were also injured when the collision took place. 49 year old Carrie Merrick who was seated in the front of the vehicle, was airlifted to Baltimore’s R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. Another passenger, 59 year old Kevin Dye, was also transported via ambulance to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown. Sadly, it wasn’t just the passengers in the Tahoe that were injured. A Maryland driver of one of the tractor-trailers was also hospitalized.

According to investigators, the crash occurred when the Chevrolet Tahoe hit the rear of a tractor-trailer, which had just begun to brake due to heavy traffic on the road. The impact was so severe that it led to a chain reaction as three other tractor-trailers and a pickup truck collided with each other. The cause of the accident is under investigation, and the Maryland State Police Crash Team is working tirelessly to unravel what went wrong in the hopes of preventing future tragedies. We send our condolences to the deceased victims’ families and hope that everyone else involved in the crash recovers quickly. 

Contact Baltimore Car Accident Attorneys

Multi-car accidents and chain reaction wrecks are often difficult to navigate. Those involved in these wrecks can often become involved in multiple lawsuits because several parties can be at fault. Experienced car accident lawyers can guide you through the confusing process, and they can help you prove others’ negligence. 

If you experience a car accident, contact Zirkin & Schmerling Law. We’ve helped numerous clients get the money they deserved from car accidents, and we can help you through the entire legal process. Call our office at 410-753-4611 or click here to schedule a free case consultation.