Man Killed in Route 40 Crash Near Turf Valley: Police

US Route 40 in Ellicott City was closed for approximately three hours Wednesday night as police investigated a fatal crash near Turf Valley Road, the Howard County Police Department reported.

Police said that Scott Brian Stanley, 41, of the 100 block of West Road in Mount Airy, may have suffered a medical emergency at approximately 9:17 p.m. on Wednesday that caused him to lose control of his vehicle.

Stanley had been headed east on Route 40 in his Mazda RX-8 near Turf Valley Road when his car left the road and hit a tree, then caught on fire, according to the report.

Police said he was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing his seatbelt, and alcohol did not appear to be a factor, according to the report, which said a medical emergency was believed to be the cause of the crash.

The Howard County Police Department reported Route 40/Baltimore National Pike was closed until 12:45 a.m. on Thursday as police investigated; the road has since reopened to through traffic.