John Welin, Karen Berneck and Thomas Stevao Obituary, MARYLAND Accident Update — John Welin, 79, Karen Berneck, 81, and Thomas Stevao, 25, were killed in a head-on collision on Interstate 68 near Maryland Route 36 on Sunday, according to Maryland State Police.
Authorities said the crash involved a Subaru Forester and a Volkswagen Tiguan. Preliminary findings indicate that the Subaru was traveling westbound on I-68 before crossing the grass median for reasons that remain unknown.
The Subaru entered the eastbound lanes and collided head-on with the Volkswagen. Three people died as a result of the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene.
Maryland State Police identified Welin, of Roscoe, Illinois, as the driver of the Subaru. Berneck, also of Roscoe, Illinois, was a passenger in the Subaru. Both were killed in the collision.
Stevao, of Centreville, Virginia, was identified as a passenger in the Volkswagen and was also killed. The crash brought a tragic loss of life to those involved as authorities worked at the scene.
The Volkswagen was driven by 25-year-old Patrick Kaczmarek of Clifton, Virginia, who suffered serious injuries. He was flown by the Maryland State Police Aviation Command to a local trauma center for medical treatment.
Another Volkswagen passenger, 25-year-old Jacqueline Durham of Clifton, Virginia, was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. Their current conditions were not provided in the information released.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team continues to investigate the fatal I-68 collision. Investigators have not determined why the Subaru crossed the median, and additional information may be released as the investigation continues. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.