Police: Driver linked to Oxon Hill crash that killed 3 children suspected of being under influence
OXON HILL, Md. - Police say the driver connected to a deadly crash that killed three children and left two adults injured on the night before New Year's Eve in Prince George's County is in custody and is suspected of being under the influence.
The crash was reported around 10 p.m. Sunday along Indian Head Highway at Wilson Bridge Drive in Oxon Hill.
Fire officials say three vehicles were involved in the collision. Indian Head Highway was closed into the early morning hours of Monday due to the police investigation. The three children died on the scene.
"There are no words to describe this crash except to say it is a tragedy," said Prince George's County Fire and EMS spokesman," Mark Brady. The cause of the crash is still under investigation at this time.
"This is a tragic incident where three young children have lost their lives," said Officer Ameer Abdullah of the Prince George's County Police department. "It's still suspected at this point that the driver is under the influence. He's still in custody at this point. But if that is confirmed then that's something that is devastating to the community and to this family as well," she said. FOX 5's Evan Lambert reported that the male driver was taken into custody at the scene for suspected drunk driving in connection with the crash.
The stretch of road where the crash happened is considered to be one of the deadliest in the area. AAA Mid-Atlantic reported that dozens of deadly crashes have occurred on Indian Head Highway between 2007 and 2017.
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Earlier this year a speed camera was placed at the intersection of Old Fort Road and Indian Head Highway. The camera operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will issue $40 fines.