Harry Washington III, 32, Killed in Fatal Motorcycle Crash on Maryland Route 210; Daughter, 9, Critical; Driver of Orange 2013 Dodge Dart Jose Osmin Orellana Santamaria Identified as Passenger, Suspected Driver at Large – Maryland State Police Seek Tips.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. – A Tuesday evening ride along a busy Southern Maryland highway turned into a nightmare when a motorcyclist and his 9-year-old daughter were struck by a vehicle that had entered their lane. The father, Harry Washington III, 32, of Indian Head, Maryland, succumbed to his injuries after being airlifted to a trauma center. His daughter remains hospitalized under undisclosed conditions. Now, the Maryland State Police (MSP) have launched a manhunt for the driver of an orange 2013 Dodge Dart who fled the scene on foot, leaving behind a trail of debris, unanswered questions, and a grieving family.
The crash occurred shortly before 7:40 p.m. on Maryland Route 210 (also known as Indian Head Highway), a heavily traveled corridor that connects Charles County to the Capital Beltway. The specific location was near the intersection with Jenkins Lane, an area known for its mix of residential driveways, commercial access points, and high-speed traffic.
The Collision: A Sudden, Violent Encounter
According to preliminary findings released by the Maryland State Police Crash Team, Harry Washington III was operating a Suzuki motorcycle southbound on Route 210. Riding as a passenger behind him—a placement that requires immense trust between parent and child—was his 9-year-old daughter. Witnesses later told investigators that the pair appeared to be returning home to Indian Head, a short distance from the crash site.
Traveling northbound on the same stretch of Route 210 was an orange 2013 Dodge Dart. For reasons still under investigation, the driver of the Dodge Dart crossed into the southbound lanes, entering directly into the path of Washington’s oncoming motorcycle.
“There was no time to react,” said one witness who asked to remain anonymous due to the ongoing investigation. “The car just swerved over. The bike tried to move, but it was too close. The impact was instant.”
The Suzuki motorcycle struck the Dodge Dart with catastrophic force. The bike was thrown sideways, skidding across the asphalt and coming to rest in the southbound breakdown lane. Washington and his daughter were both ejected from the motorcycle, suffering life-threatening injuries.
Emergency Response: Lifesaving Efforts and Airlifts
Passing motorists immediately dialed 911. Within minutes, emergency medical personnel from the Charles County Volunteer Rescue Squad and local fire departments arrived at the scene. What they found was grim: a mangled Suzuki motorcycle, debris scattered across both lanes, and two victims—an unconscious father and a crying, severely injured child.
Given the severity of their injuries, both Washington and his 9-year-old daughter were deemed too critical for ground transport. Maryland State Police Aviation Command dispatched two medical helicopters (Medevac helicopters, often referred to as “Trooper” helicopters in Maryland). One landed on the southbound shoulder of Route 210; the other touched down on a nearby access road.
Harry Washington III was airlifted to the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center in Cheverly, a Level II trauma center. His daughter was flown to Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., a facility renowned for pediatric trauma care.
Despite aggressive resuscitation efforts, Harry Washington III was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later. The cause of death was listed as blunt force trauma to the torso and head, consistent with a high-speed motorcycle collision.
The condition of the 9-year-old passenger—his daughter—has not been publicly disclosed by Maryland State Police or the hospital, citing privacy laws and the child’s age. However, sources close to the investigation indicated that she underwent emergency surgery Tuesday night and remained in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) as of Wednesday morning. Her name has not been released to protect her privacy.
The Hit-and-Run: Driver and Passenger Flee
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, chaos reigned. The orange 2013 Dodge Dart sustained heavy front-end damage but remained partially drivable. Remarkably, both occupants of the Dart—the driver and one passenger—exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
Witnesses described seeing a man and a woman (later confirmed to be a male passenger and the male driver; initial reports of a female were based on witness misidentification) running away from the wreckage, disappearing into a nearby residential neighborhood off Jenkins Lane. Neither individual stopped to render aid to the dying motorcyclist or his young daughter.
Approximately 30 minutes after fleeing, one of the two individuals returned to the crash scene. That person was later identified as Jose Osmin Orellana Santamaria, 43, of White Plains, Maryland. According to Maryland State Police, Orellana Santamaria was the passenger in the orange Dodge Dart. He approached first responders and requested medical assistance, complaining of pain and possible injuries sustained during the crash or while fleeing.
Orellana Santamaria was transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. As of this report, he has not been charged with any crime, but investigators are treating him as a material witness. Police have not disclosed what, if anything, Orellana Santamaria has told them about the identity or location of the driver.
The Search for the Driver: At Large and Unknown
The driver of the orange 2013 Dodge Dart—the person who actually crossed into oncoming traffic and initiated the fatal chain of events—remains at large. Maryland State Police have not released a physical description of the suspect, nor have they confirmed whether the driver is male or female, pending further witness interviews and forensic evidence.
What police do know:
· The vehicle is a 2013 Dodge Dart, color orange.
· The driver fled on foot from the scene near Route 210 and Jenkins Lane.
· The driver left behind a passenger, Jose Osmin Orellana Santamaria, who later returned.
Authorities are actively reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses, homes, and traffic cameras along Route 210. They are also processing the orange Dodge Dart for fingerprints, DNA, and any other forensic evidence that might identify the driver.
“This is a hit-and-run fatality involving a 9-year-old child who lost her father,” said a spokesperson for the Maryland State Police. “We are not going to stop until the driver is in custody.”
The Investigation: Led by Sergeant Justin Zimmerman
The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the ongoing investigation. The point of contact for tips and information is Sergeant Justin Zimmerman, a veteran crash reconstructionist with the MSP’s Criminal Enforcement Division.
Sergeant Zimmerman can be reached directly at 301-392-1200 or via email at justin.zimmerman@maryland.gov. Police are urging anyone who witnessed the crash, saw the orange Dodge Dart prior to the collision, or has any knowledge of the driver’s identity or current whereabouts to come forward immediately.
“Even a small detail—a partial license plate, a description of clothing, a direction of travel after fleeing—could break this case open,” Sergeant Zimmerman said in a brief statement.
Road Closure and Scene Reconstruction
The severity of the crash forced the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) to close both directions of Maryland Route 210 for nearly three hours. During that time, traffic was diverted onto local roads, causing significant delays in the Indian Head and Accokeek areas.
Troopers from the Maryland State Police Crash Team used laser scanners and drone photography to map the exact positions of the Suzuki motorcycle, the orange Dodge Dart, and the debris field. Investigators will use this data to calculate speeds, reaction times, and the precise angle of impact. They will also determine whether Washington was wearing a helmet (Maryland law requires helmets for all motorcycle operators and passengers) and whether the child passenger was properly secured.
Assistance was provided by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, whose deputies helped with traffic control, witness canvassing, and the initial search for the fleeing driver. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration provided lighting, signage, and barrier trucks to protect the scene.
Harry Washington III: A Father, a Son, a Life Cut Short
Those who knew Harry Washington III describe him as a devoted father who doted on his daughter. A native of Indian Head, Washington worked in the trades and was known for his love of motorcycles—a passion he was cautiously beginning to share with his 9-year-old.
“He would never have put her on that bike if he thought there was any danger,” said a family friend who spoke on condition of anonymity. “He was careful. He wore his gear. He checked the bike every single time. This wasn’t his fault. Someone else took him from her.”
Washington’s social media accounts show photos of him and his daughter at parks, school events, and family gatherings. A recent post from Memorial Day weekend showed the two of them standing next to the Suzuki motorcycle, both wearing helmets and smiles.
Funeral arrangements are pending. A GoFundMe page created by relatives to cover burial costs and the child’s medical expenses had raised over $10,000 within 12 hours of the crash.
The Young Passenger: A Child’s Fight for Survival
While authorities have released no official update on the condition of Washington’s 9-year-old daughter, family members have confirmed that she remains hospitalized. According to a relative who spoke with local media, the child suffered a fractured leg, internal injuries, and a concussion. She has undergone at least one surgery and is reportedly “fighting hard.”
Child advocates have been assigned to the girl’s hospital room. Maryland’s Department of Social Services is involved, given the death of her primary parent and the ongoing nature of the criminal investigation. The girl is being cared for by her maternal grandparents, pending further family court proceedings.
Legal Ramifications: What the Driver Faces
Once apprehended, the driver of the orange 2013 Dodge Dart faces severe criminal charges under Maryland law. These likely include:
· Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death – A felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
· Negligent vehicular manslaughter – Up to 10 years.
· Failure to render aid – Additional penalties.
· Reckless driving – A misdemeanor but often added in fatal cases.
· Child endangerment – Given that a 9-year-old was injured, prosecutors may add specific charges related to harm to a minor.
If the driver is found to have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the penalties would escalate dramatically. Toxicology results for both Washington and the driver (once identified) are pending.
Public Appeal: “Do the Right Thing”
Maryland State Police have made a direct appeal to the fugitive driver: “Do the right thing. Turn yourself in before we find you.”
Police also remind the public that harboring a fugitive is a crime. Anyone who knows the driver’s location and does not report it could face accessory charges.
Residents living near Jenkins Lane and Route 210 are being asked to check home surveillance systems for any footage from Tuesday evening between 7:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. A person on foot—possibly injured, possibly hiding—may have been captured on camera.
Conclusion: A Community Mourns, A Search Continues
As the sun set on Wednesday, the stretch of Maryland Route 210 near Jenkins Lane had reopened to traffic. But the emotional scars remain. A makeshift memorial of flowers, candles, and a single child’s helmet has appeared at the side of the road.
Harry Washington III is dead. His 9-year-old daughter is fighting for her life. And somewhere in Southern Maryland—or possibly beyond—the driver of an orange 2013 Dodge Dart is living as a fugitive.
Maryland State Police urge anyone with information to contact Sergeant Justin Zimmerman at 301-392-1200 or justin.zimmerman@maryland.gov. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Solvers of Southern Maryland.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as the investigation continues, including the condition of the 9-year-old victim, the arrest of the driver, and any charges filed against Jose Osmin Orellana Santamaria or others.


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