Oxon Hill, Maryland: A tragic rollover crash on Interstate 495 early Sunday morning left one person dead and three others injured, prompting hours of traffic delays and a multi-agency investigation along the busy highway corridor.
Authorities said the crash occurred shortly after midnight near the Oxon Hill exit when a vehicle traveling northbound lost control and flipped multiple times before coming to rest on its roof. Emergency crews from Prince George’s County Fire and Rescue arrived quickly and found four occupants trapped inside the wrecked vehicle.
Firefighters worked for nearly 30 minutes to extricate the victims. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while three others sustained serious injuries and were transported to a nearby trauma center. Their conditions remain unknown as of Sunday evening.
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Maryland State Police confirmed that investigators are working to determine what caused the vehicle to overturn. Preliminary reports suggest excessive speed and possible driver distraction could have been factors, though officials have not ruled out other causes. The crash occurred on a stretch of I-495 known for sharp curves and frequent late-night traffic incidents.
Traffic on the Capital Beltway’s inner loop was completely shut down for several hours as investigators documented the scene and removed debris from the roadway. Commuters experienced significant delays through the early morning hours until all lanes were reopened around 6 a.m.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene, noting that the car appeared to veer abruptly before losing control. Several drivers stopped to render aid until emergency services arrived. State officials commended those bystanders for their quick response but reminded motorists to exercise extreme caution while assisting at accident sites.
Crash reconstruction experts from the Maryland State Police Crash Team are now reviewing surveillance footage and gathering evidence from the scene. Investigators plan to release the names of the victims once families have been notified.
Authorities urged drivers to remain vigilant and adhere to speed limits, particularly in overnight travel conditions when visibility and fatigue can heighten risks. Maryland’s Department of Transportation also reminded motorists about the importance of wearing seat belts and maintaining focus behind the wheel.
Local residents in Oxon Hill expressed concern over the rising number of serious crashes along I-495, noting that this latest incident marks another tragic loss in a year already plagued by traffic fatalities in the region.
Officials stressed that public safety measures, including increased patrols and updated signage, are part of ongoing efforts to reduce such devastating accidents. For now, the community mourns the loss of life and awaits further details from investigators as they piece together the events that led to this fatal rollover.
