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ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Investigators say heroin is believed to be a contributing factor in a head-on crash that killed an 81-year-old woman and seriously injured two others on U.S. Route 50 in Anne Arundel County Sunday.
Three cars were involved in the crash in the eastbound lanes of Buschs Frontage Road just before 2 p.m. Police said the 81-year-old woman, Laurel Zeiler of Arnold, Md., died after her Toyota Camry was struck by a Ford Taurus, which appeared to have been speeding when it crossed the center line and side-wiped the Camry. The Taurus then flipped over and was t-boned by a Ford F-150.
Both the driver of the Taurus, 27-year-old Christopher Dillehunt, and his passenger, 24-year-old Tammy Lynn Lawson, both of Queenstown, Md., were flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore with life-threatening injuries.
A passenger in the Camry, 57-year-old Cynthia Whittington of Arnold, Md., and two people riding in the Ford F-150 were taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center with minor injuries.
Investigators said the preliminary cause of the crash was failure by the driver of the Taurus to remain right of center, as well as excessive speed. Police said heroin use is also believed to be a contributing factor in the crash.
The Anne Arundel County Police Department's Traffic Safety Section is handing the investigation, and any charges will be filed after review by the States Attorney.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Metro Crime Stoppers Hotline, which is available 24 hours a day at 1(866)-7LOCKUP. You an also text "MCS" and your tip to CRIMES (274637). Phone calls are not recorded and you may remain anonymous. You may also be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.