Crime & Safety

Woman Killed after Crashing into Tree on Marriottsville Road: Police

Police said a medical emergency may have preceded the driver's fatal crash into a tree Thursday night.

A Westminster woman killed after her car ran into a tree Thursday in Howard County may have experienced a medical emergency while driving, police said.

Doris Lee Johnson, 82, of Westminster, was headed northeast on Marriottsville Road near Driver Road at approximately 5:11 p.m. Thursday when her 2009 Toyota RAV4 left the road and hit a tree, causing the vehicle to turn onto its side, according to police.

Johnson was taken to Northwest Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, police said.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Johnson may have experienced a medical emergency just before losing control of her vehicle, the Howard County Police Department reported Friday. Police said that neither speed nor alcohol appeared to be a factor, and Johnson was wearing her seatbelt.

As investigators and first responders cleared the scene, Marriottsville Road was closed near the crash site until 6:30 p.m., according to the report.

Police said the crash remains under investigation.


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