Double fatal crash closes portion of I-70 in Frederick County

FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) -- All eastbound and two westbound lanes on I-70 between Route 75 and Route 27 in Frederick County are closed after a deadly Sunday crash, according to the Maryland State Police. Police say officers responded to a crash at 4:10 p.m. near Exit 62 on I-70 in New Market involving an SUV, a box truck, and a tractor-trailer. An initial investigation determined that a driver of a BMW SUV rear-ended a box truck heading westbound, causing it to travel across the center line and strike a tractor-trailer that was traveling eastbound. Police say the two passengers inside the box truck were pronounced dead on the scene, and their identities have not been released. According to police, the box truck and tractor-trailer crashed into the woods next to the road, resulting in both erupting into flames. Both drivers were airlifted to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center for treatment. Police say the driver of the BMW remained on scene but refused medical treatment, and the two passengers were taken to a hospital in Hagerstown. The incident is being investigated by the Maryland State Police Crash Team. Police say all possible factors are being considered. For real-time traffic updates, click here.