Thomas Oliver Sellman III, Marcus Eric James Jr. Obituary, Death – Maryland State Police are conducting an investigation into a tragic car accident that resulted in the deaths of two men on Tuesday night in Anne Arundel County. Authorities identified the victims as 30-year-old Thomas Oliver Sellman III from Churchton and 29-year-old Marcus Eric James Jr. of Shady Side. Emergency medical crews responded to the scene and confirmed that both men had died from their injuries.
According to officials, the crash occurred on June 17 at approximately 9:03 p.m. Troopers from the Annapolis Barrack of the Maryland State Police were dispatched to the scene following reports of a serious vehicle accident along the northbound lanes of Interstate 97, just north of Farm Road.
An initial assessment by investigators revealed that a Dodge Durango, driven by Sellman, suddenly left the roadway for reasons that have not yet been determined. The vehicle exited the highway via the right shoulder, entered a wooded area, and collided with two trees before flipping over.
Due to the severity of the crash and the condition of the scene, both Sellman and James were pronounced dead at the location. Authorities have not released any information indicating whether speed, impairment, or other contributing factors played a role in the accident.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team has taken charge of the investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal incident. Investigators will be reviewing any physical evidence found at the crash site, examining the vehicle’s condition, and possibly reconstructing the crash to understand how it unfolded.
In addition to the Maryland State Police, support was provided by the Anne Arundel County Police Department and the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration. These agencies helped manage the flow of traffic around the scene and implemented necessary road closures. As a result, the affected stretch of Interstate 97 remained closed for nearly four hours while authorities conducted their investigation and cleared the area.
The investigation is still ongoing, and officials have not yet released a final determination about the cause of the crash. It is also unclear whether the victims were wearing seatbelts or if there were any mechanical issues with the vehicle. Authorities have not mentioned the involvement of any other vehicles or individuals.
Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has relevant information to come forward to aid in the ongoing investigation. The goal is to piece together the events leading up to the accident and determine what factors contributed to the fatal outcome.
This tragic incident highlights the unpredictability of road travel and underscores the importance of continued road safety awareness. Families and communities are now mourning the unexpected loss of two young men whose lives were cut short in a devastating accident.
