Seven injured, traffic snarled in JFX crash
A five-car accident snarled traffic on the Jones Falls Expressway yesterday afternoon and sent seven people to local hospitals, including one person who tried to help a victim, fire officials said.
One car hit another about 3 p.m on the southbound side of Interstate 83 just south of Cold Spring Lane, said Chief Kevin Cartwright, a city fire spokesman. "One motorist got out to assess the damage," Cartwright said. "She was struck by another car." The woman was pinned under one of the cars, Cartwright said.
She and another victim were rushed to Maryland Shock Trauma Center, Cartwright said. Two others were taken to Sinai Hospital, and three were taken to Mercy Medical Center with minor injuries.
Southbound lanes were closed for about an hour and traffic moved slowly on the northbound side because fire and rescue apparatus took up several lanes, Cartwright said.
Cartwright said it was too early to determine whether the weather played a factor in the accident. Troy Harris, a city police spokesman, said no more details about the crash would be available until an investigation was completed. The southbound side of the highway had reopened by 5 p.m.
Annie Linskey
Baltimore
Construction
Lexington Street temporarily one-way
A section of Lexington Street between Howard and Eutaw streets has been temporarily made one way westbound, according to the Baltimore Department of Transportation. The change, which is to be in effect for about a year, is being made to make room for work on a Maryland Transit Administration building.
Northbound traffic on Eutaw Street is being shifted one lane west to make room for a crane that is being used in the work. Transportation officials are warning motorists to expect delays.
Wicomico County
Snow Hill
Ruark gets probation, $500 fine in DUI case
Wicomico County State's Attorney Davis R. Ruark has been sentenced to a year of probation and fined $500 for driving under the influence.
Prosecutors dropped a charge of possessing a loaded handgun while under the influence of alcohol, which was related to Ruark's arrest in February. The judge also ordered 12 points to be placed on Ruark's driver license. He must surrender his gun- carry permit until his probation ends.
Ocean City police arrested Ruark after officers saw a vehicle he was driving speeding and crossing the center line. Police say his blood-alcohol content was 0.15 percent, nearly twice Maryland's limit for drunken driving.
