Crime & Safety
State Police Cadet Suspended After Fatal Crash on Capital Beltway
Investigators say a Temple Hills woman was killed after her vehicle was sideswiped by a Maryland State Police vehicle driven by a Cadet.
A Maryland State Police cadet is on leave after authorities say he lost control of his vehicle and reportedly caused a fatal crash that struck two vehicles on I-495 in Prince George’s County Friday morning.
The victim, Karen Holt-Williams, 59, of Temple Hills, was taken to Prince George’s Hospital Center, where she was pronounced dead.
The driver of the Maryland State Police vehicle is identified as Cadet Sebastian L. Reyes, 18. Reyes has been employed as a cadet in the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division for eight months. Reyes and the other State Police cadet riding with him both refused treatment.
The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly after 8:30 a.m. today, Reyes was driving an unmarked 2006 Ford Expedition on a routine assignment and was not driving with lights or siren activated. Reyes was on the inner loop of I-495 when he used a crossover for emergency vehicles south of Rt. 50 to reach the outer loop and head in the opposite direction.
State police say Reyes pulled into the fast lane of the outer loop and accelerated to what witnesses describe as a high rate of speed. He lost control and sideswiped a 2000 Lincoln, driven by Holt-Williams, according to a news release.
The Lincoln then crossed the interstate and struck the wall on the fast shoulder. Authorities say Reyes’ SUV spun and struck a 2011 Subaru Outback driven by Amy A. Nash, 55, of Largo. She said she was not injured in the crash. Two passengers in her car also reported no injuries.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team is conducting the investigation, in cooperation with the State’s Attorney’s Office, which will review the finding and determine if charges should be filed.
In addition to the crash investigation, a Maryland State Police administrative investigation will review Reyes’ actions to see if he followed Maryland State Police policies and procedures.
Anyone who witnessed this crash is asked to contact Cpl. Zimmerman, the Maryland State Police Crash Team investigator, at 301-392-1231.
Reyes has been placed on leave. Maryland State Police cadets are civilian employees from 18-21 years old who work in the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. Reyes was assigned to the commercial vehicle weigh station at the I-95/I-495 Park and Ride near College Park.
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