Alleged drunk driver charged for deadly pile-up on I-70 in Washington County

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Maryland — A man from Georgia is facing charges after allegedly getting behind the wheel drunk and causing a deadly pile-up on Interstate 70 in Washington County, Maryland Thursday evening.

Investigators say Ray Pittman, 62, is charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter, homicide and two counts of driving while impaired. He is currently being held without bond at the Washington County Detention Center.

Shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday evening, Maryland State Police troopers responded to the area of westbound I-70, west of Beaver Creek Road, for a five-car, pile-up crash involving a tractor-trailer. The driver of a Ford, identified as 27-year-old Morgan Suter of Hagerstown, was pronounced dead as a result.

Investigators say Pittman was driving a tractor-trailer in heavy traffic when he approached the Ford from behind. Pittman did not slow down and struck the rear of the Ford, being driven by Suter. The impact of the crash caused the Ford to hit the rear of the Buick in front of it, which then caused the Buick to hit a Mercedes and a Honda.

The driver of the Buick, identified as 55-year-old Cheri Craigo, of West Virginia, and the driver of the Honda, identified as 61-year-old Connie Monte, of Maryland, were taken by ambulance to Meritus Medical Center for treatment of their injuries.

I-70 was closed for approximately five hours for the crash investigation. The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the active and ongoing investigation.