LEXINGTON PARK, St. Mary's County, Md., Oct. 13, 2026 — Three people were airlifted to a trauma center after a multi-vehicle crash Monday morning, October 12, pinned an elderly man inside his vehicle at the intersection of Great Mills Road and North Shangri-La Drive, in Lexington Park, according to emergency responders.
The crash was reported around 9:53 a.m., fire crews and EMS said. Responders arriving on scene reported multiple patients, including an elderly man described as heavily pinned inside one of the vehicles. He had suffered a large cut to his head, and crews worked to control the bleeding while cutting him free, according to the report.
Maryland State Police aviation units were called in for three patients. Firefighters set up a landing zone in a nearby parking lot. Trooper 7 flew two patients to UM Capital Region Medical Center, and Trooper 2 carried a third patient to the same hospital. A driver involved in the crash reportedly declined medical treatment.
The roadway was shut down at the scene for an extended period while crews worked, and drivers were urged to avoid the area and expect delays. The cause of the crash has not been released, and the extent of the injured patients' conditions remains unknown.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
A Common Misconception About Multi-Vehicle Crashes
Many drivers assume that getting hurt in a crash depends mainly on which vehicle they're riding in, but a sizable share of people hurt or killed in crashes involving passenger vehicles are not occupants of those vehicles at all. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 17,008 motor-vehicle crash deaths occurred outside passenger vehicles in crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2023.
That figure includes pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists and people in other types of vehicles caught up in the same collision. It's a reminder that the physical severity of a multi-vehicle wreck isn't contained to the cars that crumple together; it extends to anyone nearby when vehicles collide.
Extrication cases like one involving a pinned occupant show how a crash's outcome can hinge on factors beyond seatbelt use or vehicle size, including where a person was positioned relative to the point of impact and how long it takes rescue crews to reach them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do multi-vehicle crashes often take longer to clear than single-vehicle wrecks?
Responders have to assess every vehicle and occupant separately, which can mean multiple extrications, several ambulances, and coordination with aviation units for serious injuries, all before the roadway can safely reopen.
Are secondary crashes a risk after an initial wreck like this one?
Yes. Stopped traffic and rubberneckers near a blocked intersection create a real risk of a second collision, which is one reason agencies close the roadway and set up detours quickly.
What makes multi-vehicle crashes harder to investigate than two-car wrecks?
Investigators have to reconstruct the sequence of impacts, determine how many vehicles were involved at each stage, and interview multiple drivers and witnesses, all of which can take longer than a simpler crash.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Lexington Park, MD
If you're involved in or witness a multi-vehicle crash, call 911 immediately and stay clear of moving traffic while waiting for help. Even if you feel fine, ask to be checked by EMS, since injuries like internal bleeding or head trauma aren't always obvious right away.
It's important that you follow instructions from firefighters and troopers at the scene, especially around closed lanes or landing zones for medical helicopters. If you're a passenger or bystander, give crews room to work and avoid filming or approaching the vehicles involved.
Afterward, follow up with your own doctor even if you were cleared at the scene, and keep records of any medical visits related to the crash in case they're needed later.
