On Saturday, July 18, 2026, at approximately 9:53 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Three Notch Road and Harper’s Corner Road in Mechanicsville, for the serious motor vehicle collision with a vehicle on fire with occupants trapped.
Police arrived on the scene within minutes of dispatch to confirm a single vehicle off the roadway and fully engulfed in flames with the operator trapped inside.
Deputies began attempting to remove the victim and utilized multiple agency issued fire extinguishers.
Mechanicsville Volunteers responded with Engine 22, Rescue Squad 2 and Chief 2A staffed with 11 personnel, with Engine 22 arriving in under 4 minutes to confirm a rescue attempt was being made.
Firefighters quickly deployed a bumper line and made a quick knock on the fire while First Responders removed the operator from the vehicle.
Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 7 was requested to launch and land nearby.
The adult male operator was able to tell First Responders he was the only occupant of the vehicle.
Crews extinguished the fire within 15 minutes.
Flight medics were advised the adult male was initially unresponsive in the burning vehicle for approximately 5 to 6 minutes, with the patient suffering burns to both hands.
The patient was conscious, alert and talking upon Trooper 7 landing and taking off.
Trooper 7 was transported to the MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the collision.
All photos are courtesy of the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department.
