High Speed Chase Ends In Deadly Crash, Severn Man Charged: Police

SEVERN, MD — A 43-year-old Severn man was killed Tuesday night and a 31-year-old Baltimore man has been charged in his death. Mark A. Wieland was driving a Chevrolet Silverado pickup and Salah Mamache was in a Honda Civic. Mamache told Maryland State Police officers that Wieland had hit him then took off, so Mamache followed Wieland to obtain his plate numbers.

Multiple people called 911 shortly before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to report that two vehicles had been involved in a hit and run collision and were traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on I-97 between I-695 and Rt. 100. Moments later, a trooper who had just completed a traffic stop was sitting in traffic on the ramp from westbound Rt. 100 to Rt. 170 when he saw those two vehicles pass him at a high rate of speed. The vehicles appeared to be chasing each other.

The trooper saw the Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by Wieland enter the intersection and strike another vehicle before crossing the grass median and travel into oncoming traffic, driving north in the southbound lanes. Wieland then drove back onto the right side of the road and accelerated away at a high rate of speed, still followed by Mamache. The trooper activated his lights and siren, attempting to clear traffic out of his way, but was unable to get close to the Chevrolet Silverado driven by Wieland because of the high rate of speed. Mamache wouldn't stop and continued to pursue Wieland in the pickup.

While following behind, the trooper saw the two vehicles turn onto eastbound Rt. 176. The trooper slowed for traffic at the intersection of Rt. 170 and Rt. 176. The trooper continued in the direction the two vehicles had traveled in and came upon a crash scene at Rt. 176 and Old Telegraph Road involving the Chevrolet Silverado, which had struck a utility pole and overturned. Emergency medical services personnel were summoned. Weiland was transported by EMS personnel to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. He was pronounced dead later Tuesday night.

Mamache told investigating troopers Weiland struck his vehicle and did not stop. He said he drove after the pickup in an attempt to obtain a tag number. Troopers did observe what was described as minor damage to his vehicle. Mamache has been charged with negligent homicide, criminally negligent manslaughter, fleeing and eluding, negligent driving, reckless driving and speed greater than reasonable and prudent.