The driver involved in a fatal crash is behind bars. According to Allegany County Sheriff’s deputies 26 year old Francis Conners of Cumberland was heading southbound on Route 36 near Rockville Street in Lonaconing on November 19th at about 11pm. Conners left the roadway and hit a utility pole. His passenger 23 year old Virginia Mae England died Sunday from injuries she sustained in the crash. As a result of the preliminary investigation as well as consultation with the Office of the State’s Attorney for Allegany County, the operator of the vehicle, Francis Edward Conners was arrested and charged with the following:
Homicide-Motor Vehicle-Drugs
Homicide-Motor Vehicle-Impaired Alcohol
Negligent Manslaughter-Automobile
Negligent Automobile Homicide Under Influence
DUI
DWI
DUI-Combination Drugs/Alcohol
Negligent Driving
Reckless Driving
Failure to Drive right of Center
Failure to Control Speed to Avoid a Collision
Speed
Speed Greater than Reasonable
Speed too Great for Conditions
Aggressive Driving
Occupant Unrestrained by Seat-belt
Passing when Unsafe
Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device
…additional minor traffic infractions
Conners was taken to the Allegany County Detention Center to await his initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner.
A second vehicle approached the crash scene and struck the downed utility pole , the operator of this vehicle was treated at the scene by EMS and released. The crash is being investigated by a Crash Reconstructionist of the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by PFC. Jacob Sullivan, an Advanced Crash Investigator with the Cumberland City Police Department. Goodwill Fire Company , Midland Fire Company, Tri Town’s EMS, Georges Creek Ambulance, Frostburg Ambulance, the Allegany County Fire Police, the Maryland State Police and the Maryland State Highway Administration assisted at the scene. Route 36 was closed until approximately 3 a.m.