BERLIN — Three Chincoteague, Va. residents were killed in a single-vehicle accident on a rural road in southern Worcester County last night.
Around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Maryland State Police from the Berlin barrack were called to respond to the scene of a single vehicle crash on Route 12, south on Onley Rd. Fire and rescue personnel also responded to the scene and conducted rescue efforts. The Maryland State Police Crash Team was dispatched to the scene to conduct the investigation.
The preliminary investigation revealed a 1998 Acura TL, owned and driven by Nicole G. Earnest, 26, of Chincoteague, had been traveling north on Route 12. Amanda H. Phillips, 21, also of Chincoteague, was in the front seat and Sean E. Mobley, 45, of Chincoteague, was riding in the back.
Evidence indicates the driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a curve in the road. The vehicle left the roadway and traveled through grass and mud before striking three trees. One of the trees was uprooted and cut in half, with part of the tree landing on top of the car. All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
The road was closed and a detour was set up by the State Highway Administration and fire department personnel. MSP investigators returned to the scene on Tuesday to conduct additional examinations. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The Maryland State Police Crash Team is conducting a detailed crash reconstruction.