Accokeek, Md. — Tragedy has once again struck on Maryland’s infamously perilous stretch of Highway 210, commonly referred to as the “highway of death,” where two mothers lost their lives in separate hit-and-run incidents last week. The community is mourning the loss of these individuals, with their untimely deaths only reinforcing the road’s grim reputation.
Loretta Lynn Canter, 40, was struck and killed near Farmington Road in Accokeek around 9:50 p.m. on November 22. Prince George’s County Police arrived at the scene to find Canter fatally injured. The incident took place merely a day after another devastating loss occurred.
Sandra Abarca Orellana, 52, was hit by a vehicle while she was crossing another section of Highway 210 in Oxon Hill shortly after 9 p.m. on November 21. An off-duty police officer who was one of the first to arrive at the scene confirmed her death. Orellana, like Canter, was pronounced dead at the location of the accident.
Investigations are ongoing, but the vehicle involved in Canter’s death remains unidentified. However, authorities are searching for a burgundy, four-door sedan believed to be connected to the fatal incident that took Orellana’s life. The police have issued a call to the public to come forward with any information that might help track down the drivers involved in both cases, who failed to remain at the scenes.
These recent fatalities bring the total number of deaths on Highway 210 since 2007 to nearly 100, according to information from the Route 210 Traffic Safety Committee. The committee, formed that same year, has been actively documenting these incidents in an effort to highlight and mitigate the dangers of this particular road. Of the 21 people killed on this highway in 2024, 11 were victims of hit-and-run accidents.
Ron Weiss, founder of the safety committee, expressed his sorrow in a recent statement, noting the tragic timing of the accidents: “I was hoping we could make it through the rest of the year without another fatality, and being so close to Thanksgiving, it’s just so sad.”
The impact of these tragedies extends beyond the immediate dangers of the road, touching the hearts of the victims’ families and the broader community. Canter, a mother of three, is mourned by her children, who lamented the proximity of her death to significant family milestones, including Thanksgiving, her upcoming birthday, and Christmas. Her family has since established a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses, highlighting the financial and emotional toll of the incident.
As the community grapples with these losses, the Route 210 Traffic Safety Committee continues to advocate for enhanced safety measures and greater public awareness to prevent future tragedies. The repeated incidents on Highway 210 serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved road safety and responsible driving behaviors in the area. The community’s collective hope is that these recent deaths will serve as a catalyst for change, ensuring safer travels for all who navigate this treacherous highway.