Zarria Courtney McDade Obituary, Death – On January 10, 2025, at around 7:17 a.m., a Charles County Sheriff’s patrol officer driving on Smallwood Drive West near St. Patrick’s Drive in Waldorf noticed a body lying on the road in the eastbound lanes. The officer, arriving simultaneously with a 9-1-1 caller, immediately stopped and approached the individual. Upon assessment, the officer found the woman unconscious and not breathing. The officer quickly began CPR until EMS arrived on the scene. However, despite their efforts, EMS declared the woman deceased.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Traffic Operations Unit is handling the case as a hit-and-run, with assistance from detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division. Early indications suggest that the victim had been struck by a vehicle, but there were no witnesses and no 9-1-1 calls related to the incident. Investigators believe the woman was struck sometime between 6:00 a.m. and 6:40 a.m. that morning. An autopsy will be conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine the exact cause of death.
The victim has been identified as 21-year-old Zarria Courtney McDade, from Waldorf. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident, or anyone who might know of a vehicle with recent damage, to come forward. Individuals with information can contact PFC Skodzinski at 301-609-3282. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Charles County Crime Solvers via their hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS, their website, or the P3Intel mobile app. Investigators are continuing to gather details, and further updates will be shared when available.