Six construction workers killed after car veers into highway work zone, Maryland police say

Six construction workers were killed along a highway in Maryland after a driver lost control of her car, state police said Wednesday.

The crash occurred on Interstate 695 in Baltimore County, Maryland State Police said. Authorities believe an Acura driver, identified as 54-year-old Lisa Adrienna Lea, was trying to change lanes around 12:40 p.m. Wednesday when her vehicle struck the front passenger side of a Volkswagen.

The crash caused Lea to lose control of the Acura, which veered into the highway work zone, police said, between the temporary jersey walls.

The names of the six highway workers killed in the incident were released by Maryland State Police on Thursday:

• Rolando Ruiz, 46

• Carlos Orlando Villatoro Escobar, 43

• Jose Armando Escobar, 52

• Mahlon Simmons III, 31

• Mahlon Simmons II, 52

• Sybil Lee Dimaggio, 46

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Lea, who was the sole occupant in the Acura, was taken to the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Shock Trauma Center. As of Thursday, she was still receiving medical treatment at the trauma center, police said.

Police identified the Volkswagen driver as Melachi Brown, 20. After the crash, Brown stopped his vehicle north of the scene. He was not injured, police said.

"My heart goes out to the victims and the families affected by the tragic crash on the 695 beltway this afternoon," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore wrote on Twitter Wednesday, adding that his office was in contact with local authorities.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski also offered his condolences "to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in today's tragic crash." He added that his "prayers remain with those injured in this horrific incident."

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The National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday that it was sending investigators to work with Maryland State Police.

Criminal charges are pending the outcome of the investigation and consultation with the Baltimore County State’s Attorney, police said.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 6 highway workers die after crash in I-695 Maryland work zone: Police