Rollover Crash Traps Lothian Driver, Injures 3 Others

HARWOOD, MD — A Lothian man who reportedly passed vehicles on the wrong side of the road lost control, crashed into a car, and rolled his SUV in an accident that injured four people, police say. The crash happened about 2 p.m. Monday on Solomons Island Road at Mill Swamp Road in Harwood, according to Anne Arundel County Police.

A 1996 Ford Explorer driven by Tyler Joseph Sanchez, 19, of Lothian, was southbound on Solomons Island Road near Mill Swamp Road when he reportedly attempted to pass other vehicles on the right, authorities say. Sanchez lost control of his SUV, drove off the road into the grass, went back onto the road, crossed the center line and struck a 2007 Mercedes Benz E550 that was northbound on Solomons Island Road.

The Explorer rolled over, trapping the driver. Sanchez was taken by ambulance to Prince George’s Hospital Center with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, authorities say.

The driver of the Mercedes — Nelson Lee Couto, 46, of Owings — and front-seat passenger Elaine Pamela Couto, 43, of Owings, were both taken by ambulance to Medstar Trauma with non-life threatening injuries.

A 14-year-old boy in the back seat of the Mercedes was taken by ambulance to Children’s National Medical Center, where he’s listed in stable condition.

The crash appears to have been caused by Sanchez driving off the road while passing another vehicle and excessive speed, police say. Any charges are pending review by the State’s Attorney office.