1st Responder Broadcast Network is the definitive source of local news for the Emergency Service Community portal and Resource for Firefighting, Fire, Rescue, EMS and Safety.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD - On June 29th the quite Sunday afternoon peace was broken shortly after 5:00 p.m. when the Clear Spring Vol. Fire Co ( Co 4 ) and the Clear Spring Ambulance Club ( Co 49 ) were dispatched for a personnel injury accident at Interstate 70 and Maryland Route 56 near Big Pool in Washington County.

First units arriving found a large number of DNR Police and MSP units already on location w/ the driver still in the vehicle. A strong odor of pepper spray filled the air near the vehicle which was some 75 feet into the woods and brush. Pieces of heavy guardrail, broken branches and crushed vegetation pointed the way to the resting pick-up truck. Hancock Rescue Co 59 was requested to respond with a BLS unit to possibility treat pepper spray victims if needed.

Once the male driver was subdued by police, he was removed to the awaiting medic unit, treated for head injuries and transported to Washington County Shock Trauma.

DRN police attempted to stop the vehicle near Cumberland in Allegheny County suspecting the driver may have been intoxicated. The driver fled heading east bound in Interstate 70, passing cars on the shoulder and driving at a high rate of speed. After driving almost 50 miles, the fleeing driver exited the Interstate onto Maryland Route 56 at Big Pool and crashed through the guard rail across from the end of the ramp after failing to negotiate the turn.