Rubbernecking Likely Culprit in Double Beltway Accident Wednesday

Rubbernecking is the likely reason for the double Beltway accident that closed down most of the Beltway in the vicinity of Greenbelt, MD, Wednesday morning, according to Maryland State Police Sgt. John Revel.

Given the vicinity and the time, someone was likely rubbernecking, looked across and saw the other accident, according to Revel, who added that police see it all the time. Rubbernecking is not only looking at the accident, it can be looking at the backup caused by the accident, he explained.

At around 6 a.m., a black Dodge and a black Ford got in an accident on the inner loop of the Capital Beltway (I-495/I-95) near the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, in the vicinity of Greenbelt, MD, according to Revel. One of the vehicles was pulling a trailer, he said.

The vehicles pulled off onto the right shoulder, and two lanes were blocked, he said.

On the outer loop (I-495/I-95), north of MD 450 at around 6 a.m., a black Honda and green Mercedes were also involved in an accident, where one was rear-ended, catching fire, Revel said. Nobody was hurt, he added, but the two right lanes of the outer loop were blocked for safety reasons.

Revel said he didn't have all the details for either accident yet because the reporting officers were still out in the field.

But he said this morning all but one lane was shut down in both directions on the Beltway due to the two accidents.

All lanes are open now, Revel reported.