2 Edgewater Men Killed When Car Crashes Into Woods

MILLERSVILLE, MD – Two Edgewater men died when their speeding car went off the road in Millersville and slammed into trees, Maryland State Police say. The victims are Franklin Benda, 46, and David Limerick, 56, both of Edgewater. Benda was the driver and Limerick was the front seat passenger. Both men were pronounced dead on the scene, authorities said.

Shortly after 3:30 p.m. Monday, troopers from the Maryland State Police Glen Burnie Barrack were called to a single-vehicle crash on the ramp from southbound Interstate 97 to Benfield Boulevard-Exit 10B, in Millersville. Benda's 2000 Acura RL 3.5 was found in the woods off the road near the curve of the exit ramp onto Benfield Boulevard from southbound I-97 in Anne Arundel County.

Investigators say the Acura may have been traveling at a high rate of speed on the curve of the exit ramp. For reasons unknown at this time, Benda lost control of the car and went off the roadway to the left. The Acura went into the wood line, struck a tree and continued until it came to rest in the woods.

Firefighters say Benda was thrown from the vehicle during the accident, while Limerick was found trapped in the car, extricated by firefighters and declared dead at the scene.

MDOT SHA assisted with traffic control as the ramp from southbound MD I-97 to Benfield Boulevard and lane 3 of I-97 was closed during the recovery effort.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Image via Anne Arundel County Fire Department