1 Pedestrian Killed, 2nd Hurt On US-1 In Laurel: Police

LAUREL, MD — A driver hit two pedestrians outside a crosswalk on US-1 in Laurel early Saturday. Maryland State Police say a man died at the scene, while a second pedestrian was hurt. Authorities said the driver stayed at the accident scene and did not appear to be impaired.

Shortly after midnight, a 911 call reported the crash on northbound US-1 (Baltimore Avenue) just north of Mulberry Street. A Hyundai driven by Garcia Chaney, 21, of Laurel, was northbound on Baltimore Avenue in the right lane when the vehicle struck the pedestrians who were in the roadway.

The pedestrians struck were identified as Daniel Benzinger, 26, of Laurel, and Kathryn Lea, 27, of Laurel. The Prince George’s County Fire Department took both victims to Laurel Regional Hospital.

Benziger was pronounced dead at the hospital. Lea suffered minor injuries and was released from the hospital, state police said.

Investigators said Chaney cooperated with officers and did not appear to be under the influence of any substance at the time of the collision.

Northbound US-1 was closed for about three hours.

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to contact the Maryland State Police, College Park Barrack, at (301) 345-3101.