How Did 2 Drivers Die in a Wrong-Way Head-On Crash on I-95 in Elkridge, Maryland?
Quick answer: Two drivers died early on Saturday, 7 November 2026, in a wrong-way head-on crash on northbound Interstate 95 at the 44-mile marker in Elkridge, Howard County, Maryland. Taleb Ait Zakariae, 37, of Rosedale, was driving a 2025 Jeep Gladiator southbound in a northbound lane when it collided with a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven northbound by Timothy Summerville Jr., 47, of Baltimore. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. No passengers were in either vehicle. Maryland State Police said alcohol and speed may have contributed to the crash.
Key facts
- What: A wrong-way head-on crash between two vehicles
- Where: Northbound Interstate 95 at the 44-mile marker, Elkridge, Howard County, Maryland, United States
- When: Shortly before 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, 7 November 2026
- Vehicles: A 2025 Jeep Gladiator and a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Toll: 2 killed, both drivers
- Emergency number: 911
What happened
Troopers from the Maryland State Police Waterloo Barrack responded shortly before 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, 7 November 2026, to the crash on northbound Interstate 95 in Elkridge.
Police said the Gladiator was travelling southbound in lane one of the northbound lanes when it collided head-on with the Grand Cherokee, which was travelling northbound in lane one. Both drivers were pronounced deceased on the scene by emergency medical services. There were no passengers in either vehicle.
Maryland State Police said alcohol and speed may have contributed to the crash. The Maryland State Police Crash Team was continuing to investigate, and no final cause had been confirmed in the reports available at publication.
All lanes of northbound I-95, and lane one of southbound I-95, were closed while troopers investigated. Howard County Police and the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration assisted at the scene.
Who the drivers were
The driver of the Gladiator was identified as Taleb Ait Zakariae, 37, of Rosedale, Maryland. The driver of the Grand Cherokee was identified as Timothy Summerville Jr., 47, of Baltimore, Maryland. Both men died at the scene.
Where it happened
Elkridge is in Howard County, Maryland, in the United States. Interstate 95 is one of the main north-south routes on the east coast of the United States. The United States as a whole records an estimated 43,520 road deaths a year (WHO rate 12.8 per 100,000). In an emergency in the United States dial 911; from most GSM mobile phones 112 also connects to local services. See the United States live accident page for everything reported there in the last 24 hours.
Road safety in United States: the numbers
United States has a WHO-estimated 12.8 road deaths per 100,000 people — below the global average of about 15, ranking #107 of 195 countries by death rate. Across its population that works out to roughly 43,520 estimated deaths every year. Over the last two decades the rate has fallen by about 20% — see the full trend chart on the United States tracking page. Driving rules for visitors — speed limits, alcohol limit, which side of the road — are on the United States driving laws page.
If you drive on routes like this
- Slow down in unfamiliar conditions: every 1% of extra speed raises fatal-crash risk about 4%
- Never assume the other vehicle sees you at night or in rain — drive as if it doesn't
- On two-lane roads, treat every overtake as the highest-risk moment of the trip
- Wear the seatbelt in every seat; rear belts save lives in head-on impacts
- Know the local emergency number before you travel — our emergency numbers directory covers every country
Source: Maryland State Police news release, 7 November 2026; reporting by WBAL-TV.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the I-95 crash in Elkridge?
Two people died: both drivers, Taleb Ait Zakariae, 37, and Timothy Summerville Jr., 47. There were no passengers in either vehicle.
Where did the crash happen?
On northbound Interstate 95 at the 44-mile marker in Elkridge, Howard County, Maryland.
When did the crash happen?
Shortly before 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, 7 November 2026.
What caused the crash?
The Gladiator was travelling the wrong way, southbound in a northbound lane, and collided head-on with the Grand Cherokee. Maryland State Police said alcohol and speed may have contributed. The investigation was continuing.
What is the emergency number in the United States?
Dial 911. From most GSM mobile phones, 112 also reaches local emergency services. Full list: emergency numbers for every country.
In this story
- United States: live accidents and road deaths
- Driving laws in United States
- Maryland crash statistics
- Maryland traffic deaths so far this year
- Road accidents reported today
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More from the tracker
Watch accidents unfold in real time on the live world map, check the 2026 statistics, or browse all articles.