Intoxication Suspected In Crash That Killed Girl

Maryland State Police said a driver in the head-on collision that killed a 5-year-old girl and critically injured four others in Prince George's County was probably intoxicated.

The crash occurred Tuesday about 3:30 p.m., the start of the afternoon rush hour, near Central Avenue and Queen Anne Bridge Road.

Police said Larry Freeman, 50, of the District was driving east on Central Avenue with his 5-year-old granddaughter and a 10-year-old girl when he lost control of the 2004 Ford Taurus he was driving. The Ford veered into oncoming traffic and slammed head-on into a westbound 1997 Chevrolet Astro minivan, said Sgt. Arthur Betts, a state police spokesman.

When rescue workers arrived shortly afterward, they found Sade Adkinson, 5, of Temple Hills, suffering from multiple injuries. She was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead a short time later, Betts said.

The 10-year-old was flown by helicopter to Children's Hospital, Betts said. Her name was not released, but she was listed in critical condition yesterday. It was unclear yesterday whether she is related to Freeman or his granddaughter.

Freeman was taken to Prince George's Hospital Center, where he remained in critical condition yesterday.

Jerry Ruleman, 44, of Edgewater, the driver of the minivan, and a passenger in the van were also hospitalized and remained in critical condition.

Betts said investigators think Freeman might have been under the influence of drugs, alcohol or both at the time of the crash. The investigation is continuing, Betts said.

Staff writer Hamil R. Harris and staff researchers Karl Evanzz and Meg Smith contributed to this report.