Man Dies After Trash Truck Overturns At Conowingo Dam

DARLINGTON, MD — A 53-year-old New York man died Tuesday morning when the dump trailer he was driving went over a barrier on the south side of the Conowingo Hydroelectric Dam and fell 80 feet. Maryland State Police said Luis Garcia of Ridgewood, New York, was traveling on U.S. Highway 1 when the dump trailer he was driving failed to navigate a right bend in the road and crashed.

The accident happened at 1:30 a.m., state police said. According to preliminary investigation, the tractor trailer struck the jersey wall, overturned and fell to the bottom of the dam. The tractor trailer did not go into the water, instead coming to a rest on dry land. Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident caused Route 1 to close for about 5 hours in the area of the crash. The road reopened in time for the morning commute, but closed again at 10 a.m. for emergency repairs. The roadway reopened around noon.

Approximately 14,000 vehicles a day use this section of Route 1, according to a release.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash are asked to contact the Maryland State Police North East Barrack at 410-996-7800 and reference case #19MSP050362. Investigation into the crash continues.