Man Arrested After Setting His Own Van on Fire, Leaving it Along Train Tracks

Leo Canega

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD – On Monday, Deputy State Fire Marshals charged a local man, Merridth Richard Boyd, 50, of Hagerstown, after determining he intentionally set his van on fire.

The incident occurred near a set of railroad tracks behind 14635 Daley Road. At around 9:15 p.m., the Office of the State Fire Marshal was alerted after deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office initially responded to a call about a vehicle on the tracks.

Upon arrival, they discovered a 2002 Ford Econoline van engulfed in flames.


Boyd, found lying close to the scene, was transported to Meritus Medical Center for a potential arm injury. Witnesses reported hearing the van’s engine revving before seeing Boyd exit the vehicle with flames visible inside.

Boyd has been charged with second-degree arson and was later released on a $10,000 unsecured personal bond.

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