Teen's pickup tumbles into Davidsonville ravine

Driver, passenger injured in accident

By E.B. FURGURSON III, Staff Writer

Published 01/04/09

Two teens were seriously injured in an early morning wreck yesterday when the pickup they were in plunged into a 100-foot ravine on a BGE right-of-way north of Route 50 in Davidsonville.

Both Davidsonville residents were taken to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.

County police are investigating the accident, but said the 2001 Dodge pickup the two were riding in apparently went into the ravine just before 1 a.m.

Justin Scott Jones, 18, who owns the truck, was ejected from the vehicle, said Battalion Chief Matthew Tobia, a fire department spokesman. He suffered critical, life-threatening injuries and had to be lifted from the bottom of the ravine with ropes and a Stokes basket.

"He was at the bottom of the ravine near the truck. It took them 45 minutes to get him out of there," Chief Tobia said.

He was flown to shock trauma where he was listed in critical condition late last night.

Anthony Carlos Mendez, 17, who was driving according to police reports, was able to get out of the truck, climb out of the ravine despite serious injuries, and walk nearly a mile to call for help.

He then aided emergency workers, showing them the way to the site. "When crews arrived, the 17-year-old directed them down to the accident scene three-quarters of a mile off the roadway," Chief Tobia added.

After being evaluated he, too, was taken to shock trauma by ambulance. He was later released.

The accident occurred on clear-cut Baltimore Gas and Electric right-of-way property near Lavall Drive in Davidsonville, police reports said.

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Oh please - 2009-01-09 17:51:49

This is Darwinism at its best. For those of us that DO know the whole story, these fools wouldn't be in this situation if they weren't out there acting like idiots. We are just preventing nature from weeding out the "not so smart" animals in the herd.

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Steven I. - Glen Burnie, MD - Karma: Neutral

Fred - 2009-01-06 20:06:27

Before you make yourself look like a fool, you should really read through things twice before you make outrageous statements like that. Please tell me, where does it say anything about vandalizing property? you know nothing about what happened, i know every last detail. the people involved in this accident are two of my close friends. And try not to be so stingy, it was a matter of life and death. And just to let you know, the article is not accurate in it's facts, maybe you should read up on the updated article with the correct facts. So for the future you should probably try to keep your foot out of your own mouth. Thanks.

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Martea A. - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Bad

Fred - 2009-01-06 19:52:08

There is nothing to imply that they broke down an access gate. It merely states that they went over the edge of a ravine. Were you involved in the accident? How would you know exactly where it was? And what if it was your child involved in the accident? Why don't you think about what you say before you post an ignorant comment.

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Chelsea A. - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Bad

Fred's Comment - 2009-01-06 16:36:45

I didn't see anything about vandalizing private property. Where did you get that information? Finally, one of the teens is still in Critical Care-I hope and pray he survives this...wouldn't think twice about my tax dollars going for this kind of service--I hope he lives.

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Shelby Aultman - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Bad

Free Rescues? - 2009-01-06 11:47:25

I agree with you Jim that the State Police Helicopter service is a great asset. But that service ought to have a price tag for those who are breaking the law by breaking down an access gate and driving around vandalizing private property in the dark. Charge them in court and send them a bill for saving them!!

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Fred Keith - Washington DC, DC - Karma: Bad

Another Tradegy - 2009-01-04 19:45:33

Hopefully this young man will make a full recovery. Thankfully the Maryland "multi mission" helicopter was available to transport him to a trauma center where he will get the best care available, and not charge the family a dime. The Capitals ignorance on the service the professionals of Maryland State Police Avaition Command provide is a crime. Now they make fun of these public servants through distasteful cartoons. Who will they make fun of next, Police, Firemen and School Teachers?

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Jim B. - Riva, MD - Karma: Bad