Two Killed in Crash with Semi on U.S. Route 301

Maryland State Police investigating fatal collision in Prince George's County

Mar. 10, 2026 at 10:13pm

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Two people died late Monday night when their vehicle crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer on U.S. Route 301 in Brandywine, Maryland, according to state police. The driver of the Nissan Maxima and his passenger were both pronounced dead at the scene, while the semi-truck driver was uninjured.

Why it matters

Fatal crashes involving passenger vehicles and large commercial trucks are a major public safety concern, often resulting in devastating outcomes for those in the smaller car. This incident highlights the need for improved road safety measures and driver education to prevent such tragedies.

The details

According to a preliminary investigation, the Nissan Maxima was traveling southbound on Route 301 when, for unknown reasons, it struck the rear of the southbound Freightliner tractor-trailer. The driver of the Nissan, identified as Douglas Orlando Smith, 39, of Brandywine, and his unidentified passenger were both pronounced dead at the scene. The semi-truck driver was reportedly uninjured.

  • The crash occurred shortly before midnight on Monday, March 10, 2026.

The players

Douglas Orlando Smith

The 39-year-old driver of the Nissan Maxima who was killed in the crash.

Freightliner

The tractor-trailer involved in the collision, whose driver was uninjured.

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What’s next

Maryland State Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of road safety and the need for drivers of all vehicles, especially passenger cars and large commercial trucks, to remain vigilant and exercise caution to prevent such devastating collisions.