In Anne Arundel County, Maria J. Lizama-Sanchez, 31, died last week after the minivan she was riding in was struck by a tractor-trailer. Lizama-Sanchez, was about 7 months pregnant, and doctors at Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore had to deliver the baby because of the seriousness of her injuries.
The child died soon after delivery. Doctors say the injuries from the multi-vehicle tractor-trailer crash were the baby’s cause of death. Lizama-Sanchez died about 90 minutes later from her catastrophic injuries.
The accident occurred near Glen Burnie. Maryland State Police say that traffic had slowed on southbound Interstate 97 so that a funeral procession could move through. An approaching tractor-trailer failed to stop, and the truck hit the Dodge minivan that Lizama-Sanchez was a passenger in.
Four other motor vehicles were struck in the collision. Lizama-Sanchez’s husband Walter was driving the van, and he also sustained injuries from the tractor-trailer accident. Five other people were injured in the crash, which involved six-vehicles, as one motor vehicle slammed into another.
The investigation is ongoing. Maryland State Police say that the funeral procession that shut down the roads onto Interstate 97 was for the father of an Anne Arundel County police officer.
Anne Arundel County police say that shutting off roads for funeral processions is a common practice but that the department would review its policies to make sure the shutdown on Friday was performed safely.
If you or someone you love was the victim of a car collision caused by another party’s negligence, contact our Maryland motor vehicle accident law firm immediately. You may be entitled to personal injury or wrongful death compensation, including medical costs, lost wages, funeral or cremation or burial expenses, and other damages.
Procession was for police officer’s father, Baltimore Sun, May 27, 2008
Pregnant Woman, Baby Fatally Injured When Truck Hits Van, Washington Post, May 24, 2008
Related Web Resource:
Summary of State Wrongful Death and Intestacy Statutes (PDF)
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