Maryland State Police are investigating a tragic incident in Westminster, where 53-year-old David Comer was struck and killed in a pedestrian crash on Friday night, November 14. The incident, which unfolded quickly, has left the local community in shock and mourning.
Troopers from the MSP Westminster Barrack responded to the scene around 9:45 p.m. on westbound Baltimore Boulevard, near Gorsuch Road. Upon arrival, they found that a 2014 Kia Optima had struck a pedestrian who was attempting to cross the roadway. Preliminary reports indicate that the Kia, driven by 18-year-old Bridget Dautermann of Westminster, was traveling west in lane one when two pedestrians ran across the grassy median toward the roadway. David Comer entered the travel lane and was struck by the vehicle. Emergency responders from Carroll County EMS pronounced him dead at the scene.
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The second pedestrian, later identified as 24-year-old Zachary Comer, reportedly assaulted the vehicle’s front-seat passenger, 18-year-old Edgar Herrera, following the collision. Both Zachary and Herrera were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Investigators believe that David and Zachary Comer were father and son, adding a devastating layer of sorrow to an already tragic situation.
Charges against Zachary Comer are pending as police continue their investigation. The crash caused the temporary closure of all lanes on Baltimore Boulevard for about three hours while authorities documented the scene, with support from the Maryland Department of Transportation, Westminster Police, and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. The State Police Crash Team is leading the ongoing investigation.
The loss of David Comer has left his family and the Westminster community reeling. Loved ones are grappling with the unexpected and heartbreaking loss of a father and a beloved member of the community. As the investigation continues, the community offers its deepest condolences, hoping for healing and support for those affected by this tragedy.
May David Comer rest in peace, and may his family find strength and solace in this profoundly difficult time.