CHARLES COUNTY, Md. — Maryland State Police are actively investigating a fatal motorcycle crash and searching for a driver who fled the scene following a collision along Maryland Route 210 on Tuesday evening. Authorities have identified the deceased motorcyclist as 32 year old Harry Washington III, of Indian Head, Maryland. Washington was operating a Suzuki motorcycle at the time of the crash.

A 9 year old girl, believed to be his daughter, was riding as a passenger. Both Washington and the child were transported by medical helicopter to area hospitals after the collision. Despite emergency efforts, Washington later died from his injuries. The condition of the young passenger has not been publicly disclosed. According to preliminary findings, an orange 2013 Dodge Dart entered the southbound lanes of Route 210, crossing into the path of the oncoming motorcycle.

Following the crash, both the driver and a passenger in the Dodge Dart fled the scene on foot. Authorities later confirmed that the passenger, identified as Jose Osmin Orellana Santamaria, 43, of White Plains, returned and requested medical assistance. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The driver of the Dodge Dart remains at large, and state police are urging the public to come forward with any information.

The Crash: A Deadly Collision on Route 210

The crash occurred around 7:40 p.m. on a Tuesday evening near the intersection of Maryland Route 210 and Jenkins Lane in Charles County, Maryland. Route 210, also known as Indian Head Highway, is a major north south thoroughfare that runs from Washington, D.C., through Prince George’s County into Charles County, eventually reaching the town of Indian Head. It is a busy highway, often congested during peak hours, but at 7:40 p.m., traffic would have been moderate. The intersection with Jenkins Lane is a local road, likely residential or rural. The area is a mix of suburban development and wooded land.

According to preliminary findings from the Maryland State Police Crash Team, an orange 2013 Dodge Dart was involved in the collision. The driver of the Dodge Dart, who has not been identified, was operating the vehicle in a manner that caused it to enter the southbound lanes of Route 210. It crossed directly into the path of the oncoming motorcycle operated by Harry Washington III. The motorcyclist had no time to react. The impact was severe. The Suzuki motorcycle was struck by the Dodge Dart, and both riders were thrown from the bike.

The force of the collision caused catastrophic injuries to Washington. His 9 year old daughter, who was riding as a passenger, also sustained injuries. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but the damage was done. Both victims were airlifted by medical helicopter to area hospitals. The helicopters landed near the scene, and the victims were rushed to trauma centers. Despite the best efforts of doctors and nurses, Harry Washington III succumbed to his injuries. The young girl’s condition has not been publicly disclosed, but she is alive. Her survival is a small miracle, but she will carry the physical and emotional scars of this crash forever.

The Victims: Harry Washington III, 32, and His 9 Year Old Daughter

Harry Washington III was 32 years old. He was a resident of Indian Head, Maryland, a small town in Charles County located along the Potomac River. At 32, he was a young father, a son, a brother, and a friend. He was riding his Suzuki motorcycle with his 9 year old daughter, an act that speaks to the close bond they shared. Many parents would not dare take their child on a motorcycle, but Washington trusted his skills and his bike. Tragically, that trust was betrayed by a hit and run driver.

The original article does not provide biographical details about Harry his occupation, his hobbies, his personality. That information will emerge in the coming days as family members speak to the media and as obituaries are published. What is known is that he was 32, that he was from Indian Head, and that he is gone. He was a father who loved his daughter enough to take her on a ride. He died doing something he enjoyed.

The 9 year old girl, his daughter, is now fighting for her life or recovering from injuries. She is just a child. She has lost her father. She witnessed the crash or was injured in it. She will need counseling and support for years to come. Her family is likely by her side, praying for her recovery and grieving the loss of Harry.

The Hit and Run: Driver Flees, Passenger Returns

Following the crash, both the driver and a passenger in the orange Dodge Dart fled the scene on foot. They did not stay to render aid. They did not call 911. They did not identify themselves. They ran away from the scene, leaving a dying man and a injured child on the roadway.

However, authorities later confirmed that the passenger, identified as Jose Osmin Orellana Santamaria, 43, of White Plains, Maryland, returned to the scene and requested medical assistance. He may have had a change of heart, or he may have realized that fleeing would only make things worse. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. It is not clear whether he was injured in the crash or whether he sought medical attention for other reasons. He is cooperating with investigators.

The driver of the Dodge Dart remains at large. State police are actively searching for this individual. The driver’s identity has not been released, and it is unclear whether the driver knew the passenger or was a stranger. The driver may be facing serious charges, including leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, vehicular manslaughter, and possibly other offenses.

The Investigation: Crash Team Leads the Search

The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the ongoing investigation. Officials are asking anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of the driver to contact Sergeant Justin Zimmerman at 301 392 1200 or via email at justin.zimmerman@maryland.gov.

The crash team is conducting a full accident reconstruction. They will analyze skid marks, debris patterns, and the final resting positions of the vehicles. They will also examine the orange Dodge Dart, which was likely impounded as evidence. The vehicle may contain fingerprints, DNA, or other clues that could identify the driver. The crash team will also review any available surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, or residential security cameras.

Key questions include:

• Who was the driver of the Dodge Dart? Was he the owner of the vehicle, or was he driving with permission?

• Why did he cross into the southbound lanes? Was he speeding? Was he distracted? Was he impaired by alcohol or drugs?

• Why did he flee the scene? Was he afraid of being arrested? Was he on probation or parole? Was he driving without a license or insurance?

• What is the relationship between the driver and Jose Osmin Orellana Santamaria? Were they friends, relatives, or strangers?

The Passenger: Jose Osmin Orellana Santamaria, 43

Jose Osmin Orellana Santamaria, 43, of White Plains, Maryland, has been identified as the passenger in the Dodge Dart. He fled the scene initially but later returned to request medical assistance. He is now cooperating with investigators. He may be a key witness in identifying the driver. He may also face charges, depending on his role in the crash and his decision to flee. At a minimum, he could be charged with failure to remain at the scene of an accident, though his return may mitigate that.

The Aftermath: Route 210 Shut Down for Hours

Traffic along Route 210 was shut down for nearly three hours as troopers conducted an on scene investigation and crash reconstruction. Assistance was provided by the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. The closure caused significant delays for evening commuters. For those stuck in traffic, the delay was an inconvenience. For Harry Washington’s family, it was irrelevant. Their loved one was dead.

The Community: Indian Head and Charles County in Mourning

The Indian Head community is mourning the loss of Harry Washington III. Indian Head is a small town of approximately 3,800 residents, known for its naval base, its riverside location, and its close knit community. The death of a 32 year old father in a hit and run crash is a tragedy that touches everyone. His family is devastated. They have lost a son, a father, a brother, a friend. They are planning a funeral instead of celebrating a milestone. They are looking at photographs instead of making new memories. The pain is immeasurable.

The 9 year old girl, his daughter, is fighting for her life or recovering. Her family is by her side. The community is rallying around them, offering support, prayers, and donations.

Safety Reminders: Look Twice for Motorcycles

In the wake of the crash, Maryland State Police are reminding drivers to practice safe driving habits, including avoiding aggressive, distracted, and impaired driving. Motorcyclists are encouraged to follow the ATGATT principle All The Gear, All The Time to improve visibility and protection on the road. Motorists are also urged to remain vigilant, check blind spots, and look twice for motorcycles, especially at intersections.

These reminders are important, but they can feel hollow in the face of such tragedy. Harry Washington III was wearing a helmet? The article does not say. His daughter was likely wearing a helmet as well. But no amount of gear can protect against a driver who crosses into your lane and flees.

Holding Onto Memories

As the investigation continues and the community mourns, the family and friends of Harry Washington III are left to do the hardest work of all. They must hold onto their memories of him while also confronting the reality of his death. They must grieve his loss while also caring for his injured daughter. They must wait for justice while knowing that no outcome will bring him back.

Harry was 32. He had his whole life ahead of him. He had a daughter who needs him, friends who cherish him, a community that valued his presence. That is the tragedy of his death. It is not just the loss of what was. It is the loss of what could have been.

But what was still matters. The 32 years that Harry lived, the people he loved, the joy he brought, the memories he created these things are not erased by his death. They remain. They are the inheritance of his daughter, his family, his friends, and everyone who knew him. And as long as those memories are held and shared and cherished, Harry Washington III will never truly be gone.

Conclusion: A Father Lost, A Driver Sought

The death of Harry Washington III, 32, of Indian Head, in a motorcycle crash on Maryland Route 210 in Charles County, is a tragedy that has left a family shattered and a community in mourning. His 9 year old daughter was injured and is recovering. The driver of an orange 2013 Dodge Dart fled the scene. The passenger, Jose Osmin Orellana Santamaria, 43, returned and sought medical help. The driver remains at large. The Maryland State Police Crash Team is investigating. Anyone with information is urged to come forward.

As Indian Head and Charles County mourn, the community stands together in grief, offering prayers and support to Harry’s family and his young daughter. Rest in peace, Harry Washington III. You were loved. You will be missed. And your memory will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew you. Gone too soon, forever remembered.

If you have any information about the driver of the orange Dodge Dart, please contact Sergeant Justin Zimmerman at 301 392 1200 or justin.zimmerman@maryland.gov.