The Washington County Sheriff's Office says a suspected shoplifter is dead and another man is recovering after a head-on crash during a police chase on Ii-81 near Hagerstown. Sheriff Doug Mullendore said the crash Thursday claimed the life of 59 year old David Adams of Summit Avenue. "This particular individual has been shoplifting for several days at the Sears at the Valley Mall in Hagerstown," said Mullendore. "We received a call that this man was back at store at about 12:20 p.m., and was in the process of shoplifting. We responded. As our deputies were arriving, a vehicle description was given, which was a green Honda Odyssey van, which we also knew had been reported stolen from Hagerstown several days earlier."

Mullendore said Adams dropped the clothing in the parking lot while trying to flee. Authorities gave chase, with Adams ultimately going the wrong way up a highway access ramp. The vehicle that Adams was driving struck a Volkswagen SUV, driven by 61 year old Richard McGrath, of Smithsburg.

Adams was pronounced dead at Meritus Medical Center, in Hagerstown. Mullendore said McGrath was taken to Meritus Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.