2 crashes, one fatal, in same area snarl Rt. 50 in Prince George’s for hours

A scene from the early afternoon crash along the westbound side of Route 50 in Prince George’s County, Maryland, on Friday, July 9. (Courtesy Prince George’s County Fire Department via Twitter)

Two crashes, one fatal, in virtually the same stretch of road in Prince George’s County near the D.C.-Maryland border interrupted traffic for hours throughout Friday afternoon.

Two crashes happened on westbound Route 50, between Kenilworth Avenue and South Dakota Avenue; the second crash happened just five minutes after the investigation for the prior deadly crash had been completed.

WTOP’s Dave Dildine said that a vehicle had been overturned — the third one along that strip on Friday.

The second incident was far less serious. Dildine reported shortly after 5 p.m. that traffic was able to get by to the left, though major delays should still be expected for drivers.

The earlier, four-car crash killed one person, sent two others to the hospital and caused an hours-long blockage as crews tended to the wreckage.

Around 12:30 p.m., Prince George’s Fire & EMS found two vehicles overturned on westbound Route 50 near Kenilworth Avenue. One person had been ejected; one was trapped and had to be extricated by a rescue squad.

U.S. Park Police said that a man died at the scene and a woman was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Prince George’s fire department reported earlier that one person had died at the scene and two others were taken to a hospital — one of whom was flown by medevac. Another person was evaluated at the crash site, per the fire department.

The westbound lanes of Route 50 are now mostly reopened after being closed between Kenilworth Avenue and South Dakota Avenue Northeast for the crash investigation.

Previously, westbound traffic on Route 50 was being diverted to D.C 295 south, according to Park Police.

Inbound traffic on Route 50 still cannot access New York Avenue and is diverted onto the southbound lanes of Kenilworth Avenue to D.C. 295.

The southbound ramp from the Baltimore-Washington Parkway to New York Avenue is closed.

For more information on delays, stay with WTOP on 103.5 FM. for traffic on the 8s or online.

WTOP’s Dave Dildine contributed to this report.

Anna Gawel

Anna Gawel joined WTOP in 2020 and works in both the radio and digital departments. Anna Gawel has spent much of her career as the managing editor of The Washington Diplomat, which has been the flagship publication of D.C.’s diplomatic community for over 25 years.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up