Crime Drama Closes Southbound Baltimore Washington Parkway For Morning Commute

John Matthews
WMAL.com

LAUREL, MD — (WMAL) What started as the armed robbery of a diner in Laurel early Tuesday soon developed into a 7-car crash and subsequent carjacking on the southbound Baltimore- Washington Parkway near Rt. 197.

U.S. Park Police tell WMAL they received a call at around 12:30 am, reporting an erratic driver on the BW Parkway, who had crashed into several vehicles at a high rate of speed, before coming to a stop. Witnesses say the driver of the car emerged, fired a shot without striking anyone, then forcibly carjacked a vehicle and took off.

The carjacked vehicle was later found in Northeast, Washington, but the driver has not been found.

Several people at the accident scene were taken to hospitals with minor injuries. The crash scene extends for more than a mile, and the southbound Parkway remained closed as of 6:30 am, as the police investigation continues.

Police believe the crash and carjacking are connected to an earlier armed robbery at the Tastee Diner in Laurel. Three men wearing masks took about $150.00 in that robbery.

If you have any information concerning the crash, you are asked to call U.S. Park Police at 202-610-7500.