Clear spring, MD : Virginia state woman was killed in rollover crash near Interstate 70 Thursday afternoon 2.pm on May 8th 2014.

A Virginia woman was killed and her father-in-law injured in a rollover crash Thursday afternoon that closed eastbound Interstate 70 near Clear Spring, Maryland State Police said.

Helen Rose, 40, was flown from the scene by helicopter to Meritus Medical Center near Hagerstown, where she later died, according to a police news release.

Rose, who was riding in the front seat of the small green utility vehicle, was thrown from the SUV when it overturned, the release said.

The driver was 75-year-old Ernest Jones of Cumberland, Md., police said.

Jones was also taken to Meritus Medical Center and was still being treated Thursday evening, police Sgt. Stacey Cain said.

The crash occurred shortly after 1 p.m. near the 21-mile marker between Greencastle Pike, or Md. 63, and Clear Spring.

Jones, driving a rented 2013 Kia Soul, swerved off the interstate to avoid rear-ending other vehicles that had stopped due to road construction at the Conococheague Creek Bridge, Trooper 1st Class Gary Baker and the release said.

The vehicle went up an embankment, striking a log and a small tree before overturning several times and landing on its roof on the right-hand shoulder, police said.

Rose, who was unrestrained, was thrown from the vehicle, the release said.

At the accident scene, troopers were taking pictures of the site and the vehicle, which had extensive damage to the front and driver’s side. Some debris was strewn on the pavement nearby, and broken glass and plastic pieces from the vehicle could be seen on the ground.

All eastbound lanes were closed shortly after the crash. The left lane reopened to traffic at about 2 p.m.., and all lanes were reopened by about 3:30 p.m.

Several emergency crews responded to the accident in addition to state police.

Maryland State Highway Administration emergency response teams were also on the scene, assisting with traffic control.

Traffic was backed up for several miles while the highway was closed, and residual backups lingered through much of the afternoon.

Source :
Va. woman killed in I-70 rollover crash near Clear Spring