by Geoff Fox
Two people have died after an early Friday morning accident on eastbound Route 40, west of Sideling Hill Creek, in Allegany County. One of the victims of the crash was a Hancock teen, Allen Welch, aged 18.
According to Maryland State Police from the Cumberland Barrack, police responded to a single vehicle crash on eastbound Route 40 around 1 a.m. on Friday morning, September 6.
A preliminary investigation indicates that a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt driven by Mariah Shoemaker, 18, of Hancock, had driven off the right side of the road.
Two males, Matthew Glaze, 24, of Cumberland, and Welch, 18, of Hancock, were passengers in the rear seat. They were ejected from the vehicle.
Police said Shawna Mason, 19, of Hancock, was also injured in the accident.
Shoemaker — the driver — was transported to Western Maryland Health Center for treatment of her injuries. Mason was transported to Meritus Medical Center for her injuries.
Glaze and Welch were both pronounced deceased at the scene.
Police are still investigating the accident and have said alcohol has not been ruled out as a contributing factor in the crash.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team investigation is continuing.
