ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. — A single-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon claimed the life of 76-year-old Calvin Coolidge Edwards Jr. of Lexington Park. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to St. Andrews Church Road near Pops Way around 1:15 p.m. after reports of a vehicle striking a concrete barrier.
Emergency crews found Edwards unresponsive in his 2018 Hyundai Elantra. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Collision Reconstruction Unit’s preliminary investigation ruled out speed or impairment as contributing factors in the crash.
Authorities are now investigating whether a medical emergency caused Edwards to lose control of his vehicle. “We’re examining all possibilities, but current evidence suggests this may have been a medical incident,” said Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Capt. Sarah Radcliff. No skid marks were found at the scene.
The Sheriff’s Office urges anyone who witnessed the crash or saw Edwards’ vehicle prior to the incident to contact Deputy First Class Alexander Tasciotti at 301-475-2400 ext. 8151. Local residents reported the area has limited visibility due to tree cover along the winding road.
Edwards, a retired Navy veteran and longtime community volunteer, is survived by his wife of 52 years and three adult children. Neighbors described him as an active senior who frequently helped with local food drives.
This marks the third fatal crash in St. Mary’s County this year involving drivers over 70. The Sheriff’s Office reminds residents to regularly monitor their fitness to drive as they age. A full autopsy will be conducted to determine if medical factors contributed to the tragedy.
