KATHLEEN HITCH dies in fatal WASHINGTON COUNTY car crash

KATHLEEN HITCH dies in fatal WASHINGTON COUNTY car crash

Fatal WASHINGTON COUNTY car crash death of KATHLEEN HITCH

Maryland authorities are examining a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 81 that resulted in the death of a woman from West Virginia. The deceased, identified as 36-year-old KATHLEEN HITCH of Falling Waters, West Virginia, was the only person inside the vehicle she was driving.

Two drivers of large trucks, CHARLES FIELDS, aged 60, from Knoxville, Maryland, and LUIS MANUEL RODRIGUEZ, also 60, from Vineland, New Jersey, were taken by ambulance to a medical center for treatment of their injuries.

State troopers from the Maryland State Police Hagerstown Barrack arrived at the northbound section of I-81, located south of U.S. Route 11, around 8:39 a.m. yesterday due to a report concerning this three-vehicle incident. Initial findings suggest that a truck driven by FIELDS collided with the northbound Honda Civic, which was occupied by KATHLEEN HITCH. This impact caused the Civic to subsequently crash into the second truck, piloted by RODRIGUEZ.

Highway lanes were closed for over twelve hours to allow for the ongoing crash investigation. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration personnel were involved in managing the road closures. Due to one of the trucks transporting flammable substances, the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Washington County Fire Department HAZMAT Team were dispatched. The Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division also conducted inspections of the involved commercial vehicles.

The Maryland State Police Crash Team is continuing to manage the active investigation into this incident.