I-95 Crash Kills Tow Truck Driver North Of Perryville: Police

PERRYVILLE, MD - One person died in a crash on Interstate 95 north of Perryville Sunday, according to Maryland State Police.

The collision occurred on I-95 north past the exit for MD 222 after 10:30 a.m. and caused hours of lane closures as Maryland State Police investigated.

Brian Williams, 51, of Cecil County, was outside his white 2014 Freightliner tow truck at 10:32 a.m. when he was hit by a Jeep, police said.

Williams was pronounced deceased at the scene at 10:48 a.m., according to authorities.

Police said that Eric Schlerf, 37, of Bel Air, had been driving a maroon 2001 Jeep Cherokee on I-95 north when he lost control of the vehicle for unknown reasons. He hit the tow truck, the purple 1993 Chevrolet Camaro that was being towed and Williams, officials reported.

Williams worked as a tow truck driver for Collette's Service Center and had been a member of the Community Fire Company of Perryville since 1985, serving as an EMS captain and fire lieutenant, Fox 45 reported.

Due to the crash on Sunday, I-95 was blocked to northbound traffic past Perryville for several hours, and drivers were advised to take US 40 as an alternate route.

I-95 was blocked to northbound traffic past Perryville for several hours due to the crash, and drivers were advised to take US 40 as an alternate route.

Traffic was held at the toll plaza in the afternoon and by the time the highway had reopened, there were 5 miles of backups, transportation officials reported.

All lanes had reopened as of 2:15 p.m., according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

Image via CHART traffic camera.

See the latest lane closure information from state transportation officials.