OXON HILL, Md (WMAR) — Three child siblings are dead following a four vehicle crash caused by a suspected drunk driver.
U/D RT 210 - there are no words to describe this crash except to say it is a tragedy. #PGFD
— Mark Brady (@PGFDPIO) December 31, 2018
The incident happened around 9:40 Sunday night on Rt 210 - Indian Head Highway near Wilson Bridge Drive in Oxon Hill.
Prince George's County Police say a pickup truck rear-ended a vehicle that was stuck at a traffic light, causing it to strike two more vehicles in front of them.
The pickup truck reportedly ended up on top of the rear-passenger compartment of the first car, resulting in all five occupants to become entrapped.
1-year-old Isaac and his 5-year-old twin siblings, Rosalie and Alexander Mejia were killed upon impact. Their parents, of Falls Church, Virginia were both extricated and transported to a hospital in critical but stable condition.
The pickup driver was taken into custody at the scene and later released after undergoing sobriety testing. His identity isn't yet being released pending toxicology results and further investigation, which will determine if charges are filed.
In a released statement, Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said in part;
“I am heartbroken over the loss of these three young innocent lives. The actions of a suspected drunk driver has ended in a lifetime of pain for this family. We work tirelessly to clear our roads of drivers who make the horrible decision to pick up their keys and drive while impaired. We have been conducting targeted DUI and speed enforcement across the county and stepped up our efforts in specific areas to include the 210 corridor as we neared the New Year’s Eve holiday.
One driver inside the other two cars involved was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Indian Head Highway was reopened just after 4 a.m. on Monday.
The police department's Collision Analysis Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact them at 301-731-4422.
