BALTIMORE — Six construction workers were killed and a driver was hospitalized Wednesday in a single-vehicle collision on the southwest side of Interstate 695, according to Maryland State Police.
A gray Acura entered a construction zone in the inner loop at Security Boulevard, struck workers and overturned, police said. The driver of the Acura was taken by ambulance to Shock Trauma for treatment. The driver’s condition and identity were not immediately known, police said.
The identities of the six construction workers who died won’t be released until next of kin are notified, police said.
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration declined to comment on what construction work was being done Wednesday.
The Acura drove through temporary jersey barriers and into the construction zone around 12:40 p.m. on I-695 just north of Security Boulevard and I-70 in Woodlawn. Maryland State Police are investigating the cause of the crash.
The crash caused traffic to back up for a mile. The outer loop was backed up by 3 miles after the crash, according to MDOT SHA. Detours are in place.
County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. called the incident “horrific” and offered “sincere condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in today’s tragic crash.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore tweeted that his “heart goes out to the victims and the families affected by the tragic crash on the 695 beltway this afternoon.”
The collision affected school dismissal. The Baltimore County Public School System said it prepared for significant traffic delays. “We will work as quickly as possible to transport students safely this afternoon,” the school system tweeted.