Columbia Driver Killed Inmate On I-70: Police

FREDERICK COUNTY, MD — A Columbia man has been identified as the driver of a tractor-trailer that swerved and killed a correctional worker Tuesday in Frederick County. Three others were injured, according to Maryland State Police.

Frenel Pierre, 53, of Columbia, was driving a red Freightliner tractor-trailer on Interstate 70 west near the exit for MD 17 when the vehicle swerved for unknown reasons before 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27, police said. It crossed the solid white line onto the right shoulder, where police said it hit a van owned by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Then the tractor-trailer hit a road crew from the Maryland Correctional Training Center in Hagerstown, police allege. Six inmates had been working on the shoulder of I-70 at the time of the crash near Myersville; officials said at least two were hit by the tractor-trailer and at least two others were hit by debris.

Milton Pajak, 34, of Westminster, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, police reported.

Three people were taken by ambulance to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown for treatment, police said:

• Wade Rickets, 24, had serious injuries, according to officials.
• Robert Knight and Aaron Abrecht, whose ages were unknown, were less seriously harmed, officials reported.

The other two members of the crew did not report injuries at the scene, according to authorities, who said a correctional officer who was in the van at the time of the crash was also unharmed.

"Our thoughts are with the families & colleagues of those injured, especially the crew member who lost his life," the Maryland State Highway Administration said in a statement. The workers had been part of a mowing and landscape crew., officials said.

The driver of the tractor-trailer remained at the scene, and the Maryland State Police Crash Team is investigating the collision. Police said that charges may be filed following the completion of the investigation and in consultation with the Frederick County State's Attorney's Office.

After the crash on I-70 west, police said a dump truck and tractor-trailer combination vehicle jack-knifed in the median to avoid the collision involving the Freightliner. Hazmat crews were called to assist after fuel began spilling from the tanks of the tractor-trailer, police reported.

I-70 west was closed in the area of Route 17 in Myersville until about 3 p.m., according to the Maryland State Highway Administration.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

This post may be upddated. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.