Sleeping driver injures four people

EASTON, Md. (WMAR) - Easton Police are investigating a serious crash that happened on Route 50 Thursday morning.

Police say the crash happened just after 7:30 a.m. midway between Dutchmans Lane and the southern end of the Easton By-pass.

The preliminary information revealed that a 17-year-old man from Glenelg was driving west on Ocean Gateway when he reported that he fell asleep and drove off the roadway and into the median.

During an attempted to retake control, the driver overcompensated, losing control and swerving in both westbound lanes before crossing into the path of a Nissan Xterra.

At the time, Brigitte Elaine Heller, 51, and her daughter, Brittany Heller, 19, were driving the Nissan eastbound. After the impact, the Nissan came to rest on its roof in a field.

An additional driver, Matthew David Griffith, 36, was also traveling in the eastbound lane, and attempted to avoid the collision, but swerved off the road and came to rest in a field.

Brigitte Heller was flown to Maryland Shock Trauma where she is listed in very critical condition. All other injured people were transported to Memorial Hospital at Easton for treatment.

Charges are pending until the conclusion of the investigation.

Investigators remained on the scene for a little over 6 hours to complete the investigation.