Sunderland, MD – A falling tree crashed onto a moving vehicle Sunday afternoon along Route 2 in Sunderland, killing two occupants and leaving a third critically injured, authorities said.
Deputies with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responded at approximately 4:44 p.m. Sunday to North Solomons Island Road (MD Route 2) near Aspen Wood Drive for a reported serious motor vehicle collision. Upon arrival, first responders found a vehicle that had been struck by a tree that entered the roadway.
Preliminary findings from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office indicate the vehicle was traveling northbound when the tree fell into its path.
The vehicle was occupied by three people: driver Michael Lee Simpson, 60, of Deale; front-seat passenger Virginia Marie Quesenberry, 43, of Chesapeake Beach; and rear-seat passenger James Randall Detoto Sr., 62, of Chesapeake Beach.
Victims identified by authorities
Emergency medical personnel located all three occupants entrapped inside the vehicle. Simpson and Quesenberry were pronounced dead at the scene. Detoto was transported to a local trauma center with critical injuries.
The crash occurred along the Route 2 corridor, a primary north-south roadway through southern Maryland. Officials did not immediately release information about weather conditions at the time of the incident or how long the roadway was closed.
- Crash reported at 4:44 p.m. Sunday on Route 2 near Aspen Wood Drive
- Driver and front-seat passenger pronounced dead at the scene
- Rear passenger transported to trauma center in critical condition
The investigation into the fatal motor vehicle collision remains ongoing. Authorities have not released additional details.
Investigation continues into fatal tree strike crash
