Dunkirk Teen Killed In Crash Is Mourned

Collision With Deputy Sheriff Probed

Flowers and pictures are set up in a temporary memorial, marking the place in Dunkirk where a young driver was killed in Friday's crash involving a Calvert County deputy sheriff responding to an emergency call about domestic violence.

Rachael Alexandra Campbell, 18, of Dunkirk died after her 1997 Buick LeSabre was struck on the passenger side by the deputy's cruiser.

Campbell, who graduated this year from Northern High School, participated in the school's criminal justice program and the Explorer program for young people interested in law enforcement, officials said.

Several comments left on washingtonpost.com describe Campbell as a loving sister, best friend and role model. Her family declined to comment.

Campbell was trying to make a left turn from southbound Route 4 onto Apple Way shortly before 10:47 a.m. Friday when she pulled out in front of Deputy C. Wayne Wells's cruiser heading north on Route 4, Calvert Sheriff Mike Evans said. Wells's cruiser struck Campbell's vehicle in a "T-bone type collision." Campbell's Buick immediately caught fire; she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Wells, who was responding to a domestic violence call, had the lights and sirens on in his cruiser, a 2006 Ford Police Interceptor, Evans said. After the impact, the cruiser flipped into a culvert on the east side of Route 4, pinning Wells inside. He was rescued about 45 minutes later and flown to Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore with critical injuries. He was released Sunday.

Wells suffered a broken bone in his neck, plus cuts and bruises, Evans said. It might be four to six months before Wells will be able to work, he said.

Wells and Maryland state troopers were dispatched at 10:50 a.m. to respond to an emergency domestic violence call in Dunkirk.

The son called 911 because his mother's estranged husband, a Prince George's County government official, was trying to force open the front door, police said. The son was awakened by the banging on the door and his mother's cries, according to his statement to police. He said he asked his stepfather to leave. That request was met with expletives and threats, according to his statement.

The man then tried opening a back door and continued to threaten his wife, according to the trooper's report. By the time police arrived, he had left.

No charges were filed in the case. The woman and her son were granted temporary protective orders. A hearing will be held this week for a final order.

Authorities described the incident as "a high priority" call.

"This was more than just an argument. He was trying to break into the front door, and they were concerned for their safety," said Detective Albert E. Paton of the Maryland State Police.

According to court records, police had been called to the Dunkirk household several times for domestic disturbances.

Evans said he asked Anne Arundel County police and Maryland State Police to conduct an independent investigation into the crash.

There was a candlelight vigil in Campbell's honor this week. Her funeral will be at Chesapeake Church in Huntingtown at 11 a.m. Thursday, followed by interment at Lakemont Memorial Gardens in Davidsonville.