Man Cited in Four-Vehicle Wreck that Closed I-95

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A Laurel man faces four charges for allegedly causing a four-vehicle crash that tipped over a tanker hauling fuel, which closed part of Interstate 95 for hours Tuesday.

Maryland State Police continue to investigate the crash on southbound I-95 near MD 198 in Prince George’s County. One driver was injured in the accident.

Authorities say Christopher W. Rhodes, 23, of Laurel was charged with following too closely, unsafe lane change, failure to control speed to avoid a collision, and reckless driving contributing to the collision.

State Police say the Ford Focus Rhodes was driving abruptly changed lanes and stuck the rear of a Chevrolet Malibu driven by Jamie R. Smith, 34, of Aberdeen.

A Mack tanker trailer hauling diesel fuel – driven by William P. Gorman, 32, of Westminster -- tried to avoid both cars, but struck the right rear of the Focus, causing the tanker to overturn. As the tanker rolled, it side-swiped a Nissan Altima driven by Ryan S. Keyser, 24, of Reisterstown, state police say.

While on its side, diesel fuel began to spill onto the road from the tanker, which came to rest across all lanes of southbound traffic.

Smith was taken by Prince George’s County emergency medical personnel to Laurel Regional Hospital.

The other three drivers refused medical treatment at the scene,

Prince George’s County Fire Department personnel, along with the Maryland Department of Environment, responded to handle the fuel leak. Due to the severity of the crash and the fuel leak involved, both north- and south-bound I-95 were close for about four hours.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact the Maryland State Police, College Park Barrack at (301) 345-3101.