A holdup caused by a car accident on the Gov. Thomas Johnson Memorial Bridge left many waiting in traffic for upward of an hour Thursday evening, despite conflicting information that the area had been cleared and traffic was moving.
At about 4:50 p.m., subscribers to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office’s Nixle alerts, an automated system meant to keep people aware of public safety developments via email and text message, received notice that traffic on the bridge was down to one lane in the aftermath of an accident. About a half an hour later, another alert told subscribers the bridge was re-opened in both directions.
But traffic in Solomons remained backed up for as long as an hour and a half after the second update.
The accident was a rear-end collision between two vehicles, said Capt. Steve Jones, a spokesman for the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office. A third vehicle that fled the scene was also involved, but Jones declined to comment on the role that vehicle played.
Although no one was hurt, both cars had to be towed, Jones said Friday. The towing process caused the extended delay in traffic.
Jones said the Nixle alerts are sent out when officers clear the scene but do not account for blockage towing can cause.
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