Virginia Woman Killed In Vehicle Crash In Frederick County

Two other occupants were taken to Shock Trauma.

Frederick, Md. (KM) – A Virginia woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Frederick County Monday afternoon. State Police say Shannon Kephart, 48, of Winchester was a front seat passenger in a Honda CRV which was involved in the crash on Route 340 at Route 180 in Petersville. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver, identified as Dean Kephart, 61, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, was taken by ambulance to University of Maryland Shock Trauma for treatment. . The rear seat passenger, Cathy Cyrus, 68, of Olney, Maryland, was flown by medivac helicopter to Shock Trauma, for medical treatment.

Troopers say their investigation revealed that at around 1;30 PM,  the operator of a silver Jeep Liberty was traveling eastbound on Route 340 and made an aggressive lane change into the lane where the Honda was traveling. That caused the Honda to veer off the left side of the roadway, strike a guardrail and overturn, coming to rest across the travel lanes of the roadway. The driver of the Liberty continued traveling.

State Police say they received a vehicle description and tag number of the Jeep Liberty from multiple witnesses,  and were able to contact the owner of the vehicle at his home, who said his son was driving the Jeep Liberty  at the time of the crash. Charges are pending, troopers say. .

Investigators say they have briefed the State’s Attorney’s Office.  They say  upon completion of their investigation,  it will be presented to prosecutors for review and consideration of charges.

The roadway was closed for about four hours while troopers conducted their investigation.

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration responded to scene for  road closure and traffic control. The Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company was at the scene to provide assistance, according to the Maryland State Police.

By Kevin McManus