Maryland

‘Loss of One of Our Own': Maryland National Guard Soldier Killed in Crash

Staff Sgt. Dinora Flores was a mother of three and an Afghanistan veteran

Members of the Maryland National Guard on Wednesday were mourning the death of a fellow soldier and mother of three who was killed in a car crash on her way to work at Camp Fetterd.

Staff Sgt. Dinora Flores, of Damascus, was rear-ended by a truck about 7 a.m. Tuesday on Hanover Pike in Reisterstown. Her car was pushed into oncoming traffic and collided with a tractor-trailer.

"I know that we had some of our soldiers that worked with her that were the first ones on the scene, and I know that it was a very tragic situation for them in order to see a coworker in that kind of condition," said Col. Charles Kohler, a spokesman for the National Guard. "They're very devastated by what occurred and right now our biggest concern is making sure that the family is taken care of, that we honor her service."

Flores, 33, joined the National Guard a decade ago and served in Afghanistan. She was a military police officer and last worked in recruiting and retention at Camp Fetterd.

Her colleagues described her as bright and an inspiration.

Gov. Larry Hogan ordered all flags to fly at half-staff in her honor.

He tweeted his condolences to Flores' family saying, "she served our state and country with great distinction."

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Flores family at this most difficult time," the National Guard said in a statement on Facebook. "The loss of one of our own is always very difficult, and little can be said to ease the pain, but we must remember Staff Sgt. Flores' dedication to our nation and state and honor her service."

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