Car, Truck Collide Head-On On Route 1 in Md., Killing 4

Wells and his helper, identified by police as Sean Foote, 23, of Columbia, were taken to Howard County General Hospital. Foote was treated for minor injuries and released.

Wells said he was tested for alcohol and drugs, a standard procedure under U.S. Transportation Department regulations in fatal crashes involving commercial trucks. The results were not immediately available, police said.

Police said Wells is not expected to face charges because the car swerved into oncoming traffic.

According to an executive at Wells's employer, Jessup-based Republic National Distributing, the truck left company headquarters only moments before the crash.

"They were just leaving for deliveries on their daily route," said Gene Gerzsenyi, assistant director of operations. The company operates about 50 trucks a day.

In a statement, the company said, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the accident victims and their families."

Residents at a mobile home park near the site of the crash said accidents are common along that strip of Route 1.

Pointing to a hill just behind the demolished car and the truck, resident Madge Kellner said the steep inclines and lack of turning lanes make it a hazardous area in which to drive.

"You see people coming down the hill like Speed Racer," said Kellner, 73, who has lived in the area for more than four decades. "You can't help but pick up speed going down the hill. I wish they would lower the 50-miles-per-hour speed limit and post some signs."

County police said no accident statistics were immediately available, but they pointed out that their preliminary investigation indicates that the crash was caused by the swerving Nissan driver.

Staff writers Ovetta Wiggins and Rosalind S. Helderman and staff photographer Mark Gail contributed to this report.