Four individuals, including a 17-year-old passenger, lost their lives in a devastating three-car collision that occurred on Saturday in Southwest Carroll County, according to Maryland State Police. All the victims, including the driver, were residents of New Windsor, further emphasizing the heart-wrenching impact of the accident within the local community. The 17-year-old passenger and another injured teenager were both students at Francis Scott Key High School, as stated by a spokesperson from Carroll County Public Schools.

The collision took place at the intersection of Liberty Road and Skidmore Road, situated east of Taylorsville and west of the Winfield hamlet. Preliminary investigations conducted by Maryland State Police revealed that the victims' Chevrolet Equinox was traveling west on Liberty Road when it attempted to make a left turn onto Skidmore Road. Tragically, the Chevy was struck from behind by a Saturn, ultimately causing it to veer into the eastbound lanes of Liberty Road, where it collided with a third vehicle, a Ford.

Law enforcement authorities have ruled out impaired driving as a contributing factor to the accident. The driver of the Chevy, identified as 72-year-old Charles Black III, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Two passengers in the Chevy, Barbara Black, 69, and Debbie Hill, 63, also tragically lost their lives. Gage Black, 17, and Phillip Ceresa, 15, two additional passengers in the Chevy, were immediately airlifted to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. Sadly, Gage Black passed away at the medical facility. The condition of Ceresa, who is a minor, has not been disclosed by state police or the hospital.

Both teenagers were actively involved in the wrestling and lacrosse programs at Francis Scott Key High School, leaving the school's athletic director, Ryan Kimble, devastated by the news. Gage Black served as a manager for the school's wrestling team, while Ceresa, affectionately referred to as "Flip," was a wrestler and aspiring No. 1 goalie for the boys' lacrosse team. Their tragic loss has left a profound impact on the school's community.

In a Facebook post, the FSK Junior Eagles football team, for which both Black and Ceresa had previously played, expressed their deep sorrow over the incident. The driver of the Ford involved in the collision was transported to Carroll Hospital in Westminster for treatment, although the specific condition of the 59-year-old motorist remains unknown. The driver of the Saturn, a 25-year-old resident of Westminster, reportedly did not require transportation for any reported injuries.

After an overnight closure, all lanes on westbound Liberty Road have been reopened as of Sunday morning. The Maryland State Police Crash Team has taken charge of the investigation into the accident. Upon the team's completion of their investigation, they will submit their findings to the Carroll County State's Attorney's Office, which will determine whether charges will be filed in this tragic case, according to a state police spokesperson.