Early Morning Bowie Crash Leaves 5 Children Dead
BOWIE, Md (WJZ) -- A horrific tragedy in Prince George's County Saturday morning resulted in the deaths of five children after a car went off the road.
This is an open investigation with a lot of unanswered questions but right now it's just hard to digest the tragedy of the lives of five children lost.
UPDATE: Bowie Mom Charged With Vehicular Manslaughter In Crash That Killed 5 Kids, Had 2X Legal BAC Limit
At 5 a.m. on Northbound Rt. 301, just south of Point Bridge Rd, a car went off the road, crashed into trees, and then spun across a snowy field, ejecting 5 passengers.
"The occupants that were ejected were 5 children," said Captain Dan Pickett with Maryland State Police. "The children aged in ages from 5 to 15."
State police said that the occupants were extended family on their way home.
"The 5 children at the scene were pronounced deceased at the scene," said Pickett. "The driver and front seat passenger were transported to the University of Maryland Prince George's County Center"
State police have not ruled out any possible cause for the crash but a possible reason the children were ejected was that "it appears the children were not restrained properly," said Pickett.
The weather may have also been a factor.
"I can't say that was a factor in this case but across the whole state where we had melting yesterday and we had single digits this morning across the whole state," said Pickett. "I'm sure there were areas icy but State Highway was out salting on that road last night."
Northbound 301 was closed for the accident investigation, which had to affect first responders.
Governor Hogan tweeted that he was deeply saddened by this tragic auto accident in Prince George's County, praying for everyone involved, including first responders.
Deeply saddened by this tragic auto accident in Prince George's County. Praying for everyone involved, including first responders. https://t.co/Mg2JSabepx
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) February 2, 2019
"Every collision that we have where we lose life is a tragedy, simple as that," said Pickett. "And when children are involved, it's more of a tragedy."
The driver has been identified as 32-year-old Dominique Taylor, the mother of 2 children, 5-year-old Paris and 8-year-old London Dixon of Bowie.
Fourteen-year-old Zion Beard, 6-year-old Rickell Ricks, and 15-year-old Damari Herald, all from Washington D.C. were also killed.
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