(UPDATE) PGPD is Investigating Fatal Vehicle Accident in Lewisdale

     On Thursday, May 31, at 8:13 p.m., officers responded to the 2200 block of Hannon Street, Lewisdale, Maryland for a (disorderly) landlord-tenant dispute. The resident, Marianable Cruz-Lopez was moving out of the house. Cruz-Lopez’s family was there as well to assist in moving. Officers investigated and determined the matter to be a civil issue. The officers cleared the scene at 8:40 p.m.

     Approximately seven minutes later, officers, who were still nearby, were dispatched back to the same address for a report of a vehicle into a garage. Officers discovered that while operating a Ford Expedition, Cruz-Lopez inadvertently depressed the gas pedal instead of the brake. The SUV accelerated rapidly in reverse and struck five children playing in the driveway. The vehicle then struck the front of a detached garage and stopped. Arriving officers performed CPR on one child, Natalie Hernandez-Cruz, 8, who was transported to Children’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Natalie Hernandez-Cruz is the daughter of the driver, Marianable Cruz-Lopez.

     The investigation continues to include the relationship of the children. The following is the status of the children as of Monday, June 4th.:

2-year-old, son of Mairanable Cruz-Lopez - Discharged and recovering at home

6-year-old boy - Discharged and recovering at home

10-year-old boy - Critical/Stable condition...Condition is improving

7-year-old girl - Discharged and recovering at home