It's been a deadly month on Harford County highways with accidents killing four people, the most recent which occurred near Churchville shortly after midnight Tuesday, according to state police.
Around 12:37 a.m., a 1995 Honda Accord was being driven north on Route 136 (Priestford Road) north of Route 22, according to Maryland State Police with the Bel Air Barrack.
The Honda, driven by Bisbee Paduk Allen, 21, of Churchville, crossed the double yellow center lines, skidded into the lanes for southbound traffic and was hit by a 2005 Freightliner tractor trailer, according to state police.
The driver of the Freightliner, Robert Myers, age 60, of Harrisburg, Pa., tried to avoid the Honda and drove off the road, colliding with a BGE pole, which broke off because of the impact.
The Honda continued off the road and hit another BGE pole. Mr. Allen, the driver of the Honda and the only person in the vehicle, was trapped inside and EMS personnel pronounced the driver dead at the scene, according to state police.
Police say they are not sure why the Honda crossed the center line; the crash is under investigation by members of the Bel Air Barrack.
Tuesday's accident was the 14th fatal traffic accident in Harford County this year.
Lt. Charles Moore, commander of the Bel Air Barrack, said law enforcement agencies in Harford County are targeting poor driving habits in an effort to make roadways safer. As part of that process, police agencies within the county launched a traffic task force this year.
"We're doing our best about educating the public on driving safely," Moore said Tuesday.
Saturating areas identified as "high crash areas" is one way state police and other police agencies are working to enforce traffic laws, he said.
"We just want the public to see we're paying attention to these areas and to slow down," Moore said, later adding: "We're paying attention."