Truck Launches off Centennial Lane, Crashes into Trees

A 77-year-old woman is in serious condition after her vehicle crashed into trees on Centennial Lane Thursday morning, according to the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

The woman, Anna Owens, of Woodstock, was extracted from the vehicle and taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center where she is in serious, but not life threatening condition, after the 10:50 a.m. incident, according to police. 


"Someone veered off the road and ended up hitting that tree," said a police officer at the scene.

Police said the truck's mirror also clipped a cyclist's elbow as it veered from the westbound lane of Centennial Lane and crossed the roadway before crashing. The cyclist declined medical treatment at the scene after suffering a minor injury, said police.

About 15 feet above the ground at the crash site were marks on two trees. Below the trees was a red Ford Ranger pickup truck, with large scrape marks across its side.

A police officer at the scene said the driver hit a dirt hill in front of the trees, launching the truck into the trees. Behind the truck, a neighborhood wooden sign was in pieces, and the metal road markers were ripped completely out of the ground.

"[The driver] bounced off this tree here first," said a tow truck driver pointing to the first mark, "Then [the driver] smacked that one."

Police are currently investigating the incident to determine a cause.

The crash happened close to Centennial Elementary School.