Maryland

Driver Accused of Assaulting Hospital Security Guard After Involvement in Fatal Beltway Crash

A man involved in a fatal crash on the Capital Beltway late Thursday night assaulted a security guard after being taken to a hospital, Maryland State Police said.

A Toyota Sequoia rear-ended a Kia Optima on the Outer Loop near Saint Barnabas Road in Oxon Hill about 11:40 p.m., sending both cars on to the median.

The Kia wound up on top of the guardrail, and its driver, a 40-year-old man, died.

The driver of the Toyota, 46-year-old Charles Smith of Bladensburg, and his female passenger were taken to University of Maryland Prince George's Hospital Center, where Smith was arrested for assaulting a security guard, disorderly conduct and impeding a criminal investigation, police said.

State police took Smith to the Forestville Barrack for questioning and released him, but charges are pending following the investigation.

Alcohol has not been ruled out as a factor in the crash, police said.

Contact Us