A Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) bridge rehabilitation project is bringing Safe Zones Automated Speed Enforcement (“speed cameras”) back to the Beltway. This project involves the rehabilitation of the bridge carrying I-95 above the Outer Loop of the Beltway (I-495 West) within the I-495/I-95 interchange in College Park. Contractor crews will be repairing the bridge’s deck joints as well as its concrete piers and columns.

The Automated Speed Enforcement is focused on traffic on the Outer Loop of the Beltway, just past the split with I-95 North, headed towards New Hampshire Avenue and into Montgomery County. In a written statement, the State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) highlighted the different phases of this Automated Speed Enforcement effort:

“A warning period began December 12 for motorists exceeding the posted speed limit of 55 mph. Beginning January 3, after a 21-day warning period, Maryland State Police will review and authorize citations. By law, if a vehicle is recorded traveling at or above a specified rate over the posted speed limit, a $40 fine will be issued [and mailed] to the registered owner of the vehicle. The posted speed is 55 MPH.”

Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement has been previously implemented on several different bridge projects on the Beltway in both Montgomery and Prince George’s County.

Shortly before 5AM on December 4, 2005, Maryland State Troopers responded to a crash on the Outer Loop of the Beltway near University Blvd. Troopers arrived and found a three-vehicle chain reaction crash where two people had died. They were: Sandra M. Cornejo, 26, of Silver Spring, and Yanira D. Ramirez, 28, of Silver Spring. Three others were seriously injured.

The driver of one of the vehicles, a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer, fled from the crash scene on foot. Investigators contacted the registered owner of the vehicle and learned his roommate, identified as David Psina, who was in his 20’s and living in Germantown, had the vehicle without permission and had been drinking prior to driving. Psina also did not have a driver’s license.

A search of the vehicle and further evidence processing reinforced that Psina was the driver who fled. Ultimately, warrants were obtained for Psina, charging him with two counts of manslaughter, two counts of negligent homicide while impaired, two counts of negligent homicide while under the influence, theft, and two counts related to the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.

Repeated efforts to locate Psina have so far been unsuccessful. The warrants remain active, and anyone with any information is asked to call the Maryland State Police Rockville Barrack at 301-424-2101. Tips may also be called into Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). All tipsters may remain anonymous.

Crash Narrative below from Maryland State Police: The crash occurred shortly before 5:00 a.m. on December 4, 2005 on the outer loop of I-495 near University Blvd, in Montgomery Co. The crash involved three vehicles: a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 1997 Ford Escort and a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The investigation determined all three vehicles were traveling westbound on I-495, east of University Blvd. There were four lanes of travel with a 55 mph speed limit. It had been raining and the roadway was wet. All vehicles were in lane three, with the fast lane being lane one and the slow lane being lane four.

The first crash occurred when the driver of the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer ran into the back of the 1997 Ford Escort. The 2005 Chevrolet then collided with the center median jersey wall. The 1997 Ford Escort became disabled in lane three and had no lights on. This vehicle was then struck from behind by a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

There were five people in the Ford Escort. Two were killed. They were: Sandra M. Cornejo, 26, of Silver Spring, Md., and Yanira D. Ramirez, 28, of Silver Spring. The other three were seriously injured.

The driver of the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer remained at the scene and refused treatment, indicating he was not injured to an extent that required medical attention. He told investigators he came upon the disabled vehicle suddenly because it had no lights and he was unable to avoid striking it.

The driver of the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer fled the scene on foot after the crash. State Police investigators contacted the owner of the vehicle and learned his roommate, identified as David Psina, who was in his 20’s and living in Germantown, Md., had taken his vehicle without permission and had been drinking prior to taking the vehicle. It was determined Psina did not have a driver’s license.

Additional investigation by State Police included a search of the vehicle and processing of evidence that further identified Psina as the driver. Investigators consulted with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office throughout the investigation. As a result, warrants were obtained for Psina, charging him with two counts of manslaughter, two counts of negligent homicide while impaired, two counts of negligent homicide while under the influence, theft, and two counts related to the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.

A search for Psina was unsuccessful. Repeated efforts to locate him also proved unsuccessful. The warrants remain active, but unfortunately, he has not been located.

Maryland State Police Rockville Barrack: 301-424-2101.

Crime Solvers of Montgomery County: 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). All tipsters may remain anonymous.