A Charles County man was killed yesterday when he lost control of his 1987 Ford Aerostar van and crashed into a tree on Route 488 in La Plata, said state police at Waldorf.

John Abell, 30, of the 9800 block of Royal Oak Drive, La Plata, was driving west on Route 488 about 1: 15 a.m. when the crash occurred west of Hawkins Gate Road, police said. Abell died at the scene. Abell's passenger, Charles Lattisaw, 30, of Edelen Road in La Plata, was in serious condition at Prince George's Hospital Center.

Pub Date: 12/07/98