One Dead In Three-Vehicle Wrong-Way Crash On Patapsco Bridge

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Charges are pending against a Jessup man after a three-vehicle crash killed one person and injured at least two others Friday on the Patapsco River bridge, Maryland State Police say. Brandon Hinkley, 34, faces numerous charges, including manslaughter and drunk driving, for allegedly causing the fatal pileup, authorities said.

Hinkley was reportedly drove the wrong way into traffic shortly before 1:30 a.m. on westbound Maryland Route 195 on the Patapsco River Bridge. Police said a Toyota Rav 4 driven by Hinkley was eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-195 when he met a westbound Nissan Quest and Mazda CX-5 side by side on the road.

The driver of the Mazda, David Gerecht, 21, of Rockville, swerved to avoid Hinkley's SUV, which then crashed head-on into the Nissan and struck the driver’s rear side of the Mazda.
A male passenger in the Nissan was declared dead at the scene by the Anne Arundel County Fire Department. The victim's name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, police said.

The driver of the Nissan, a 46-year-old man from Woodbridge, Virginia, along with Hinkley, were taken by ambulance to Maryland Shock Trauma in Baltimore for treatment. Gerecht, along with his two passengers, were treated at the scene.

The Maryland State Police CRASH Team is investigating this case. Troopers consulted with the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office regarding charges. An arrest warrant has been issued for Hinkley, who will face these charges once he is released from the hospital:

• Manslaughter
• Criminal negligent manslaughter
• Homicide by motor vehicle under the influence
• Homicide by motor vehicle under the influence per se
• Homicide by motor vehicle impaired by alcohol
• Life threatening injury by motor vehicle under the influence
• Life threatening injury by motor vehicle under the influence per se
• Life threatening injury by motor vehicle while impaired
• Driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol
• Driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol per se
• Driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol
• Driving the wrong direction on a one-way road