MDOT SHA Workers Hit By Pickup When Driver Has Medical Emergency

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Two employees with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration were struck by a passing vehicle when the driver suffered an unknown medical emergency and drove off the road. Shortly before noon, troopers from the Maryland State Police Glen Burnie Barrack responded to the crash at southbound Interstate-97 north of New Cut Road.

According to a preliminary investigation, Karl Gunther, Jr., 38, of Pasadena was driving a black Toyota Tundra and suffered a medical emergency that caused him to drive off the road. Gunther was transported to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore for medical treatment.

Police believe Gunther struck two parked Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration-affiliated vehicles parked on the right shoulder. Both of the unoccupied MDOT SHA vehicles had their emergency lights activated. Eric Gross, 51, of Crownsville, and Gary Henley, 48, of Pasadena, were standing outside of their vehicles in the grass off of the right shoulder when they were struck. Investigators believe the impact of the initial crash caused the MDOT SHA contractor’s vehicle to strike the second MDOT SHA vehicle. It is unclear which vehicle hit the two workers.

Gross and Henley were transported to area hospitals for medical treatment. Gross was taken by ambulance to Anne Arundel Medical Center. Henley was taken by ambulance to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center.

The investigation is ongoing.