Friday, Aug 20--Accident Sparks Short Route 90 Closure

OCEAN CITY - Route 90
was closed in both directions for over an hour early yesterday morning after an
alleged drunk-driver rear-ended a vehicle stopped at a red traffic light at St.
Martin's Neck Rd. and Isle of Wight.

According to police
reports, around 7:45 a.m. yesterday morning, a Honda Accord driven by Zachary
Wagner, 19, of Fruitland, was heading east on Route 90 when it struck a vehicle
driven by Cathy Peacher, 55, of Hebron, which was stopped at a traffic signal
at St. Martin's Neck Rd. The force of the collision caused Peacher's vehicle to
lunge forward and strike an electrical box, which caused a power outage in the
area. Peacher was taken to PRMC in Salisbury where she was treated for minor
injuries.

Wagner was administered
field sobriety tests at the scene and was ultimately arrested on suspicion of
driving under the influence of alcohol. The accident completely closed Route
90, one of the main access points into Ocean City, for over an hour, from about
7:45 a.m. until shortly after 9 a.m., as emergency responders cleared the
accident from the roadway. As a result, eastbound traffic backed up for about a
half an hour.

According to the OCPD,
State Highway Administration crews also responded to assess any damage to the
highway. The extent and duration of the power outage caused by the accident was
unknown as of late yesterday.