Authorities are working to determine what caused a deadly collision between a pickup truck and a riding lawn mower that claimed the life of a Caroline County man yesterday afternoon.
Joel Garcia, 42, from Denton, Maryland, died at the scene after the John Deere mower he was operating was struck by a Toyota Tundra. The 32-year-old pickup truck driver sustained injuries and was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital for medical care.
The tragic incident unfolded around 3:30 p.m. on Burrsville Road close to Garland Road, prompting a response from Maryland State Police troopers stationed at the Easton Barrack. Initial findings suggest Garcia was riding the mower along the westbound shoulder when the Toyota veered off the roadway and collided with him, though investigators have not yet determined why the truck left the travel lane.
The crash scene remained active for over six hours as investigators worked to piece together what happened, forcing authorities to shut down traffic lanes during that time. Multiple agencies assisted with the emergency response, including Caroline County EMS crews, local fire department personnel, and workers from the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team has taken the lead on the ongoing investigation into the fatal incident.
