5 children ejected from SUV, killed in Maryland wreck

CORRECTION: Earlier versions of this story incorrectly stated the type of vehicle involved.

BOWIE, Md. – Maryland authorities say they’re investigating a crash that killed five children who were ejected from an SUV. Two adults were also injured.

Maryland State Police troopers say in a news release that the single-vehicle crash happened before 5 a.m. Saturday on northbound U.S. 301 in Prince George’s County.

The troopers identified the dead children as 8-year-old London Dixon and 5-year-old Paris Dixon, both of Bowie; and 14-year-old Zion Beard; 6-year-old Rickelle Ricks; and 15-year-old Damari Herald, all of Washington, D.C.

Dominique Taylor, 32, of Bowie, was the driver of the 2005 Chrysler Pacifica, police said. Twenty-three-year Cornell Simon of Oxon Hill is believed to have been a front-seat passenger. Both were injured.

Investigators believe the adults were wearing seat belts but do not believe the children were buckled in, police said. The children are believed to have been in the rear seats of the vehicle, police said.

The preliminary investigation shows the vehicle struck several trees and then spun in a snow-covered field.

The News Journal contributed to this story.