3 Children, 1 Adult Killed In Cecil County Crash: Sheriff

CECIL COUNTY, MD — Three children and one adult were killed as the result of a crash Thursday night in Cecil County, according to officials. Crash reconstructionists continue to study how the two-vehicle collision happened, the Cecil County Sheriff's Office reported Friday.

Officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Mechanics Valley Road near North East at 9:36 p.m. for a two-vehicle crash on Thursday, May 23, according to authorities. At least one person was ejected, the sheriff's office said.

One deputy was at the scene within a minute of being dispatched, and a second deputy arrived a minute later, authorities said. As uniformed patrol deputies performed CPR on two youths, they learned five other people had been injured.

Personnel from the Cecil County Department of Emergency Services, North East Fire Company, Singerly Fire Company and Charlestown Fire Company handled the call, to which three medevac helicopters were summoned, from Maryland State Police and Delaware State Police.

Based on the preliminary investigation, a 2005 Saturn lost control traveling south on Mechanics Valley Road for reasons that remain unknown. The vehicle spun sideways and was hit by a 1999 Chevrolet pickup truck that had been going north on Mechanics Valley Road, according to the Cecil County Sheriff's Office.

The Saturn's front-seat passenger and three juvenile passengers died, the sheriff's office said:

• Anthony Shackelford, 34, of Stoney Chase Drive in Elkton, died at the scene. He was the front-seat passenger.
• A 4-year-old boy was deceased at the scene.
• A 9-year-old boy who was taken to Union Hospital then flown to Johns Hopkins in critical condition later died.
• A 10-year-old girl was taken to Union Hospital and later died.

The driver of the Saturn and one passenger were flown for medical treatment in critical condition.

• Driver Mary E. Shackelford, 53, Stoney Chase Drive, Elkton, was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in critical condition.
• A 13-year-old boy was flown to Alfred I. duPont Hospital in Delaware in critical condition.

The man driving 1999 Chevrolet pickup truck was taken to Christiana Hospital in Delaware with injuries that were believed to be non-life-threatening. He was identified as James T. Tobin, 24, of Ridge Road in Elkton.

Mechanics Valley Road was closed for more than five hours.

So that first responders could speak with counselors, a critical incident stress management team was activated for deputies, EMS and fire/rescue personnel.

"It was with great sadness that I learned of the incident on Mechanics Valley Road in North East last evening and I share in the grief of our community at the loss of lives in this fatal collision. Though words can do little, we extend our thoughts and prayers to their families and friends during this very tragic time. We can only pray that the individuals who survived will make a full recovery," Cecil County Executive Alan McCarthy said in a statement Friday afternoon.

"My thoughts are also with our first responders, officers, dispatchers and emergency medical personnel, as I can only imagine how difficult this tragedy was for them as well," McCarthy said. "Their dedication to serving the citizens of Cecil County is often met with severely tragic situations. Please hold them, as well as families, friends and our entire community close during this time of sorrow. May peace and comfort find each of us as we mourn."

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office at 410-996-5500 and refer to case number 19-41663.