Driver Seriously Injured In Towson Crash Into Gas Line: Official

TOWSON, MD — One person was injured after driving into a building under construction and hitting a high-pressure gas line Sunday morning in Towson, according to the Baltimore County Fire Department. Crews called for backup after finding what was classified as a hazmat situation near Towson Town Center.

The crash was reported at 11:36 a.m., and officials cleared the scene within about two hours.

Initially, authorities said the crash happened near the Macy's at Towson Town Center, but it was actually at 2 East Joppa Road, officials later clarified. The address is home to the construction site for AvalonBay, the residential part of the Circle East.

"The accident was on Dulaney Valley but the building's address is 2 East Joppa Road," Fire Lt. Travis Francis told Towson Patch.

A woman had hit a high-pressure gas line that was above ground, he said. A high-pressure line is one that delivers a large volume of gas and is a main feeder, Francis explained, versus a low-pressure line that may carry gas to a residence.

During the response, Dulaney Valley Road was closed in a 1-block radius around the Towson traffic circle, according to the Baltimore County Police Department. Joppa Road was supposed to be closed at the York Road roundabout and Towson traffic circle so that a crane could be removed, state transportation officials previously reported.

"The mall was not evacuated," Francis said. He said that people were restricted from going to the parking lot closest to where the incident occurred.

"Fire crews monitored the mall and movie theater to check for any signs" of the gas, Francis said.

"The gas didn't actually travel into any of [the area businesses]," Francis said. "It was kind of windy today so that was perfect for dispersing the gas."

Related:

• Traffic Circle, Joppa Road Closed For Crane Removal: Officials
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By 12:50 p.m., firefighters reported BGE had shut off the gas.

Officials said one person was taken to the hospital.

The woman who had been driving the car was taken to Sinai Hospital with serious injuries, according to Francis.

She was driving a Volkswagen north on York Road, the Baltimore Sun reported.

By 1:30 p.m., authorities said crews were clearing the scene.