Shrewsbury area woman killed in crash

An 81-year-old woman from Shrewsbury was one of two people who died Saturday evening after a head-on collision in Baltimore County, according to police and the York County Coroner's Office.

[Big G]

One thing for sure, a ruptured Aorta is not good. God Bless!

[John from Whitehall]

Not sure why people feel compelled to speed and do not pay very close attention on 439 ?? I have lived off Rt 439 for nearly 5 yrs and am amazed at the number of very serious accidents that plague this road. People need wake-up about this stretch and be a lot more careful.. I think 45 and 50 mph is too fast.. A two lane road with the hills/dips and the turns maybe more suited for safe travel at 35 mph especaily between 83 and the Jordan Mill Ct area... I am baffled how the guilty always seem to survive these accidents...

[jody]

John from Whitehall wrote:

Not sure why people feel compelled to speed and do not pay very close attention on 439 ?? I have lived off Rt 439 for nearly 5 yrs and am amazed at the number of very serious accidents that plague this road. People need wake-up about this stretch and be a lot more careful.. I think 45 and 50 mph is too fast.. A two lane road with the hills/dips and the turns maybe more suited for safe travel at 35 mph especaily between 83 and the Jordan Mill Ct area... I am baffled how the guilty always seem to survive these accidents...

It is kind of amazing that each time it is the guilty party that surives and the innocent that are killed. This road has become a major expressway from I-83 to Harford Co. I think when the truck inspection station was openned on I-83 it caused a lot of the traffic to exit at exit 36 and then use Rt439 to get over to Belair and other points in Harford Co.
Saturday, this road was closed until sometime after 8 p.m. Traffic was diverted on to smaller roads that are hilly and curvey. You would go around one of the curves on Harris Mill and there would be a car in your lane. The detour roads do not have lines painted on them. The biggest problem is all the people that moved up to the country from the city/suburbs and don't know how to drive and judge where your lane would be without a line or hang in the center of the road even when it does have a painted line.

If you were out on Saturday and saw the accident you saw the traffic that was diverted and then those people had no clue as to where to go once they were on the detour. Also, the Baltimore Sun did not publish anything about this accident. They instead wrote about the drag racing on I-70. Nothing on WJZ or WBAL. Fox 45 News at 10 p.m. and The York Daily Record are the only news sources to report this accident. My question is why wasn't Mrs. Henry transported by helicopter to Shock Trauma? York Hospital does have a Trauma Unit and does accept helicopters, why an ambulance?

Also, the direction Ms. Falanga was traveling is posted with flashing lights, curves signs, an intersection sign, and a posted speed of 30 or 35 for the hill and curve.

[Someone in York]

The worst drivers are always in SUVs. It's safer for them, so they don't have to pay attention or worry about killing other people in smaller cars.

[jody]

jody wrote:

Again, the innocent die in an accident on Maryland Route 439. This is a killer road because Harford County residents use it as a freeway to and from I-83. Of course the person that caused the accident will survive and only get neglient driving, failure to stay to the right of the center line and failure to stay in the proper lane, maybe speeding. They will pay the fine, get points and maybe lose their license, but they will continue to drive. The states attorney will investigate it, but they do not have the guts to charge anyone with anything other than a mismeaner. In Maryland the car is your license to kill anyone that you want and you will never be charged with anything. You won't go to jail and might even get a "get of out Jail free" card. Your fine will be around $400 which all you have to do is mail it in. Pretty cheap to kill someone. You see Maryland does not value life at all. In Pennsylvania, Ms. Falanga would rot in jail for vehicular manslaughter, where she belongs. Now two innocent families are suffering because Ms. Falanga could not drive and keep her vehicle to the right of the center line. Ask the residents along this stretch of road, how many accidents have occured, along with near misses. My deepest sympathy to the McMahon and Henry families no one should ever have to suffer want these families have now had to experience because of Ms. Falanga stupidity. Ms. Falanga should be branded MURDERER, because that is what she is.......MURDERER, MURDERER, MURDERER. If she ever drives another vehicle she should be required to post on the vehicle a sign that says MURDERER/I killed 2 people with my car.

Don't know who judged my comments as mean. But that person does not live along RT 439 or travel it and have to suffer the consequences of immature drivers.

[reader]

I drive 439 every weekend and I am constantly amazed at the people who speed along it - crossing at double yellow because the person in front is not going 10 miles over the limit. Or ride your car's back end trying to hurry you up. I've been in the jam a couple times for accidents near Lentz.

I also do not know those back roads and when we get diverted I always hope I pick the right person to follow.

[In MD]

it would have taken the helicopter 15 to 20 min to get to this location since they had just finished another call. When the patient is already packaged and ready to go you cant wait and sit for the helicopter you have to go to the nearest trauma center .... which was YORK hospital!! Why don't you call 911 and ask them

[jody]

In MD wrote:

it would have taken the helicopter 15 to 20 min to get to this location since they had just finished another call. When the patient is already packaged and ready to go you cant wait and sit for the helicopter you have to go to the nearest trauma center .... which was YORK hospital!! Why don't you call 911 and ask them

I would hope that you would be sent to the nearest trauma center. I know York Hospital is a trauma center. However, I have lived in this area for 30 years, it usually takes 1/2 hour for any type of assistance in this area after a 911 call is made. There are only 2 policemen assigned to this area - one for the east of I-83 and one for the area to the west of I-83, and twice a day you have no one available during shift change. I know in the past a Maryland ambulance was not allowed to transport patience across state lines. The York Co ambulance would meet the Md ambulance at the state line on I-83 and the patience would be moved from one ambulance to the other for the trip to York. Perhaps Mrs. Henry was transported to York because she was a resident of York Co, or was it because Md is now determining who gets to use the helicopter based on age as has been rumored since the September crash in Prince George's County. I do know that when I passed the Maryland Line Volunteer Fire Dept a short time after 6 p.m.- all of the equipment was out of the front bays facing York Road. I also know from people that were at the scene prior to emergency equipment arriving that the observers felt that the jaws of life was going to be needed to get the people out of the car. Maryland residents have a surtax on the cost of the license plate for Shock Trauma.

[nola]

this horrible tragedy happened in front of our home. fortunately, my husband and i had just left to visit a friend. we must have missed this accident by minutes. i cannot count how many times too fast drivers have caused accidents in front of or very near our home. something must be done! numerous telephone poles have been taken out by drivers, and i was also on the scene when there was another head-on collision last year. this is also a "freeway" of sorts for PA drivers to get to harford county & 95. enough is enough. this is a country road people. i live here, like many others. i dont drive thru your neighborhoods @ 70+ mph. i shudder to think what would've happened if my husband and i would have been sitting in our car to leave our home when ms. falanga crossed the double yellows.....my sincerest sympathies to all the families who have been hurt by this accident

[Live in Parkton]

Jody, I don't know where you get your info BUT MD has always transported across the line. I live in Parkton 40YRS. So who ever you are getting your info from is wrong. You must be thinking about Pa they do not come across the line at all per there Brough. And one other thing Maryland Line is Volunteer and it does not take 30 min for them or any other fire co to get to a scene . And also the bystanders well if they think they know everything then mybe they should join the fire co. The jaws of life was only need for one person and that would have been the PR 4. If the other pts were trapped then the jaws of life would be needed.

[a reader in Maryland]

jody wrote:

<quoted text>
Don't know who judged my comments as mean. But that person does not live along RT 439 or travel it and have to suffer the consequences of immature drivers.

First, I want to say that I worked with Barb and that she was a loving and kind person whom I hope did not suffer in this tragedy. That being said, not only were your comments innappropriate, but premature. As far as I have seen, there has been nothing written as to the cause of this accident. What if Mrs. Falanga was taken ill and simple lost control of her car? Sometimes and accident is just an accident. I am aware of the dangers on this road, but until the true facts come to light, try to refrain from branding people murderers. At least take into consideration that Mrs. Falanga may have a family who is reading these comments and they have done nothing to deserve this kind of rancor.

[suv driver]

Someone in York wrote:

The worst drivers are always in SUVs. It's safer for them, so they don't have to pay attention or worry about killing other people in smaller cars.

I believe the smaller sports cars are the ones zipping in and out of traffic more than the suv's.Maybe you should pat attention more to the road and you'll see who drives better.
As far as the accident. thats what it was an accident, so many people are so quick to judge before you know the whole story.

[twocentsworth]

Please, just stop. Two people were killed, two others injured and countless friends and families affected. Don't use this to argue, show some class and have respect for the deceased and loved ones.

[Reality Check]

twocentsworth wrote:

Please, just stop. Two people were killed, two others injured and countless friends and families affected. Don't use this to argue, show some class and have respect for the deceased and loved ones.

Topix is NOT an on-line obituary guest book where people write only nice things about the departed. It is a news commentary site. When deaths occur in public places they are news.

When they occur because of carelessness or recklessness that is deserving of comment, if for no other reason than just perhaps folks will be a little more careful and a little less impatient and just maybe some other folks might be spared a similar fate.

The easily offended should look elsewhere.

[jody]

Live in Parkton wrote:

Jody, I don't know where you get your info BUT MD has always transported across the line. I live in Parkton 40YRS. So who ever you are getting your info from is wrong. You must be thinking about Pa they do not come across the line at all per there Brough. And one other thing Maryland Line is Volunteer and it does not take 30 min for them or any other fire co to get to a scene . And also the bystanders well if they think they know everything then mybe they should join the fire co. The jaws of life was only need for one person and that would have been the PR 4. If the other pts were trapped then the jaws of life would be needed.

Do you live in the Parkton area? You stated Maryland Line is Volunteer. You are right about that and always has been Volunteer. It responses as quickly as it can but it does respond. If no one is within a response area than it goes to the next available that was Hereford again Volunteer or into Pa. I do know the fire companies from Pa do respond across the line. Also, I stated having lived in the area since 1975 the practice in the past was ambulances did not cross state lines. I only ask the question was that still the question. Also, you had to make a specific request to be transported to York for the ambulance to go north. Also, since the horrible accident in September, with the helicopter that restrictions have been based on the use of the helicopter. Given a set of circumstances: an 18 year old or a 52 year old - transport the 18 year old not the 52 year old. This is information from paramedics.

[jody]

a reader in Maryland wrote:

<quoted text>
First, I want to say that I worked with Barb and that she was a loving and kind person whom I hope did not suffer in this tragedy. That being said, not only were your comments innappropriate, but premature. As far as I have seen, there has been nothing written as to the cause of this accident. What if Mrs. Falanga was taken ill and simple lost control of her car? Sometimes and accident is just an accident. I am aware of the dangers on this road, but until the true facts come to light, try to refrain from branding people murderers. At least take into consideration that Mrs. Falanga may have a family who is reading these comments and they have done nothing to deserve this kind of rancor.

From everything I have read Barbara was a wonderful person. Nothing has been written about Ms. Falanga. People do get sick, have heart attacks, etc but the odd thing is this road has had a lot of accidents and a high percentage fatal. Not all of those people had medical emergencies. But a number of them were using cell phones or texting, passing on double yellow lines and speeding. A lot of people hug the center- maybe from driving many of the country roads in northern baltimore county that don't have lines painted down them. The fact remains Ms. Falanga killed two people. She came across a center line on a curve. The area is marked with road signs, flashing lines and rumble strips as well as change in the color of the pavement. Mrs. Falanga may be a nice person, but legally she killed two people and needs to be punished for her actions. A car is a legal weapon but we tend to forget that despite all the safety measures - air bags, seat belts etc. Look at how a car has changed from a means to get from point A to point B to an entertainment center - video players and now satellite tv for the back seat.

[CHRIS]

I don't think it is evident .at this time who is actually guilty of this accident. The investigation is not yet complete. Mrs Falanga is a gentle older lady who does not speed and is quite attentive. She will be devastated by these fatalities, as are the families of the deceased. Don't be took quick to condemn her as fully responsible for this. Route 439 is q very dangerous road. A slight misjudgment, or lapse of attention, or glare, can be fatal. Sometimes a combination of factors can be contributory. One might want to pray for the survivors and their families of this terrible accident.

[jody]

There was another accident on Md Rt 439,this afternoon, Sunday, June 28. While it was closer to West Liberty Rd, according to people who saw the accident, a person on a motorcyle was speeding and went under a car/truck. The Shock-Trauma helicopter was called again. I don't know if it was a fatal accident or not. The point is too many people have died on this road. Mrs. Falanga might be the nicest women in the world, but she crossed the center line and hit another car and killed two people.

[reader from Parkton MD]

Does anyone know if the accident yesterday was fatal.

[One from Baltimore County]

I have worked with two people who ran off the road. One it turned out had an unknown brain tumor. His fainting while driving was the first sign of it.
Another had a medical condition that had never caused a sudden passing out, but did on her way home from work and she struck a telephone pole.
There are people all the time out there who have a sudden medical event that causes a problem while driving.
And I have not heard, but perhaps a tire blew on Ms. Falanga's car.
One time I was driving up I-83 and the tie rod on my car suddenly broke. I had just had brake work done and it was all looked over,(I THINK), and I had no control of my front right tire all of a sudden.
Anyway, do not be quick to pronounce judgement on a person.
This accident is a horrible tradgedy for all.
If you have ever crossed the center lane, or slipped off onto the shoulder a bit, or ran a stop sign because you were distracted, you have committed the same act that happened to Ms Falanga, except hopefully, there was no other car or pedestrian there at that moment.