Lexington Park, MD - On Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 6:06 p.m., Bay District Station 3 and surrounding EMS companies swiftly reacted to a distress call concerning a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian in the vicinity of Three Notch Road and Copeland Lane.

Upon arrival at the scene, crews encountered a single patient lying in the roadway, suffering from injuries resulting from the incident. Remarkably, multiple courageous bystanders who witnessed the pedestrian being struck sprang into action, using their vehicles to shield the injured individual from further harm by blocking traffic.

Maryland State Police Helicopter Trooper 7 was summoned and successfully landed at the scene to airlift the adult male to a nearby trauma center for urgent medical attention.

A preliminary investigation unveiled that the accident was triggered by an unsecured mattress in the bed of a red pick-up truck, which fell onto the northbound lanes of Three Notch Road. Subsequently, the adult male exited the vehicle and was tragically struck by another passing vehicle. Fortunately, the vehicle involved in the collision remained at the scene, with all occupants escaping unharmed.

It is important to note that Maryland law mandates that vehicles transporting loads must ensure that their cargo is securely fastened to prevent accidents or endangerment to other highway users. Failure to comply with this regulation may result in fines, with the penalty for unsecured loads in Maryland amounting to $500.

Bay District VFD urges all motorists to adhere to traffic safety protocols and ensure the proper securing of loads during transportation to prevent similar incidents in the future.