Highway Worker Killed, 2 Injured In Crash Near Ellicott City

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A highway worker was killed and two others injured shortly before 12:30 a.m. Thursday. Maryland State Police at the Waterloo Barrack were dispatched to the crash scene reported on eastbound I-70 before Exit 87A, Route 29 in Ellicott City.

Christopher Marsden, 34, of New Jersey was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical service personnel. Investigators believe Marsden was standing outside of the work trucks on the scene at the time of the crash. Rickey Foster, Jr., 43, and James Gonzalez, 44, both of New Jersey were injured in the crash. Foster was sitting in a 2011 white Autocar work truck; Gonzalez was standing outside of the work truck at the time of the crash. They were transported to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. Wayne Carter, 60, of New Jersey, was sitting in the driver's seat of the Autocar and was uninjured.

The driver who Maryland State Police believe caused the crash has been identified as Frank William Hall, Jr., 38 of Frederick. Hall was the sole occupant of a red Jeep Wrangler and was taken to Howard County General Hospital by ambulance. Charges are pending, the Maryland State Police stated.

A preliminary investigation indicates the contracted highway workers were setting up to conduct a road work operation. There were four associated MDOT/SHA trucks and one vehicle parked on the right shoulder of I-70 near the southbound ramp of Route 29. All four trucks, including the Autocar work truck involved in the crash, had amber warning lights and amber arrow boards illuminated to alert motorists of the road construction project.

Investigators believe Hall was traveling eastbound on I-70 when he swerved and crashed into the rear of the Autocar work truck. Troopers are investigating whether alcohol, speed and/or distraction were contributing factors in this crash, according to a report from the Maryland State Police. The debris caused by the crash was extensive and covered both lanes of eastbound I-70, prompting the eastbound lanes of I-70 to be closed through the early morning hours.