Two Dead in Four-Car Columbia Crash

Two people were killed this morning and two were injured in a four-vehicle crash.

Matthew James Miranda, 22, of Columbia, and Urooj Zehra Isfahani, 35, of Columbia, were killed in the crash, on MD 175 near Tamar Drive. [EDIT: Family members say Isfahani was 31]

Police say that just before 8 a.m., a 2004 Saturn Ion driven by Joseph Gary Lawrence, 22, of Columbia, was going westbound on MD 175 with Matthew Miranda in the passenger seat. The car crossed the median and collided head-on with Isfahani, who was driving a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan eastbound on MD 175.

After the initial collision, Isfahani's car was struck by a 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe, going eastbound on MD 175, driven by Christof Joseph Lindemayer, 32, of Baltimore.

A 2009 Toyota Corolla going eastbound on MD 175, driven by Judith Deane Russ, 52, of Columbia, was damaged by debris from the collision.

Lawrence and Lindemayer were taken by ambulance to the University of Maryland, Shock Trauma Center. They are both in stable condition. Russ was not injured.

Miranda was not wearing a safety belt and was ejected in the collision. He and Isfahani were taken to Howard County General Hospital, where they were both pronounced dead.  

The eastbound side of MD 175 was closed for two and a half hours. Police say speed and driving on the wrong side of the road led to the accident; however, the investigation is ongoing.

This article was corrected, changing the direction of the Caravan to eastbound.