This information is preliminary and subject to change.
On March 22, 2023, about 12:30 p.m. eastern daylight time, six highway construction workers were struck by an errant passenger vehicle while they were working in a work zone along northbound Interstate 695 (I-695), also referred to as the inner loop, in Woodlawn, Baltimore County, Maryland. The work zone was a long-term closure of the left shoulder and was part of a project incorporating about 19 miles of I 695 between Interstate 70 and Maryland State Highway 43. The crash occurred north of Dogwood Road, and at this location, I-695 comprised four traffic lanes in both the northbound and southbound direction and had a posted speed limit of 55 mph. The work zone occupied both left shoulders of the interstate and used a series of concrete barriers intended to isolate workers from vehicles traveling on the interstate highway. The passenger vehicle that struck the workers was a 2017 Acura TLX, occupied by a 54 year-old female driver. The Acura had traveled about 1.8 miles through the work zone when it collided with a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The collision occurred in the far-left lane as the Acura changed lanes to the left and struck the Volkswagen. At the time of the crash, both vehicles were reportedly traveling at speeds in excess of the posted speed limit and greater than the speed of the adjacent traffic. Following the collision, the Acura began to spin out of control and passed through an opening in the concrete barriers separating the work zone from the highway travel lanes. The opening was one of several access points designed to allow construction vehicles into the work zone. As the Acura traveled through the work zone, it struck miscellaneous construction materials and six of the workers before eventually coming to a stop after overturning. As a result of the crash, the six construction workers who were struck in the protected area of the work zone died. The Acura driver was seriously injured and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The 20-year-old male driver of the Volkswagen told police that he was not injured.
Parties to the NTSB investigation include:
- Maryland State Police
- Maryland State Highway Administration
All aspects of the crash remain under investigation while the NTSB determines the probable cause, with the intent of issuing safety recommendations to prevent similar events.
