ELKRIDGE, MD — Two men were killed in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 95 in Howard County early Saturday morning, with investigators examining whether speed and alcohol contributed to the collision, according to Maryland State Police.
Investigators identified the victims as Taleb Ait Zakariae, 37, of Rosedale, and Timothy Summerville Jr., 47, of Baltimore. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Neither vehicle had passengers.
Authorities said troopers responded to northbound I-95 near mile marker 44 in Elkridge shortly before 4:30 a.m.
A preliminary investigation found that Zakariae was driving a 2025 Jeep Gladiator south in the left lane of northbound I-95 when he collided with a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Summerville, who was traveling north in the same lane, police said.
Investigators believe alcohol and speed may have contributed to the crash, although authorities have not specified which driver may have been affected by either factor.
The collision prompted the closure of all northbound I-95 lanes and one southbound lane while investigators examined the scene.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the ongoing investigation, with assistance from Howard County police and the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration.
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