Maryland State Police Identify Three Killed in I-68 Head-On Crash

ALLEGANY COUNTY, Maryland - Maryland State Police identified three people killed in a head-on crash on Interstate 68 near Maryland Route 36 on Sunday, August 30.

According to a Maryland State Police news release, troopers from the Cumberland Barrack responded at about 12:59 p.m. The preliminary investigation says a westbound Subaru Forester crossed the grass median and entered the eastbound lanes, where it struck a Volkswagen Tiguan head-on.

Police identified the Subaru driver as John Welin, 79, of Roscoe, Illinois, and his passenger as Karen Berneck, 81, also of Roscoe. Both were pronounced dead. A Volkswagen passenger, Thomas Stevao, 25, of Centreville, Virginia, was also pronounced dead at the scene.

Two people were injured

The Volkswagen driver, Patrick Kaczmarek, 25, of Clifton, Virginia, was flown to a trauma center, police said. Another passenger, Jacqueline Durham, 25, also of Clifton, was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. The release did not provide a later condition for either person.

State Police said its Crash Team continues to lead the investigation. The description of how the crash began is preliminary, and authorities have not announced a final cause or assigned fault.

The state release placed the collision on the eastbound lanes near Route 36 and made clear that the case remains active.

Reliable information

This report relies on the state police release for identities, locations and the preliminary account. Readers should treat any further claims about causes or responsibility as unconfirmed until investigators issue an update.

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