Maryland State Police are investigating an accident in Carroll County that claimed a life and shut down Route 27 for several hours.
Police believe they know the name of the woman killed in the early morning crash, but because of how severe the injuries were, will need to wait for an autopsy to confirm it officially.
Evidence at the scene and information from family members have led investigators to believe Jean Vogel, 53, of Westminster was the only victim in the passenger car.
The accident happened just after 4 a.m. when a tractor trailer and a car crashed into each other on Route 27.
1 person killed crash involving tractor trailer&car.Rt.27 remains closed@ Kate Wagner Rd #CarrollCounty #Westminster pic.twitter.com/wQyJkrAIwS
— ABC2 Traffic (@MarylandTraffic) February 19, 2016
Preliminary investigation shows the tractor trailer collided with the car at the intersection of Route 27 and Kate Wagner/Chapel Road in Westminster.
Crews arrived to find the tractor trailer on top of the car, which was engulfed in flames. An investigation shows both vehicles caught fire because of the crash.
Officials say the tractor trailer's driver and only occupant, 26-year-old Wendy Morpas, was able to escape. The driver refused treatment at the scene.
CRASH in #Westminster - Rt.27@ Kate Wagner Rd. #CarrollCounty Watch @ABC2News 4 updates from @LaurenCookABC2! #GMM2 pic.twitter.com/qVoe3qUG1N
— ABC2 Traffic (@MarylandTraffic) February 19, 2016
State police say a preliminary investigation doesn't show alcohol as a factor in this crash. Inspectors from the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement division conducted a post-crash inspection of the tractor trailer and found no contributing defects that might have caused the crash.
The investigation is ongoing.
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