BRYANTOWN — A 22-year-old Port Tobacco man died Friday evening after his vehicle left Olivers Shop Road and struck a tree, Charles County sheriff’s officials said.
The crash occurred November 22 at approximately 7:30 p.m. in the area of Olivers Shop Road and Edelen Drive. Deputies responding to the scene found the driver, identified as Benjamin Thomas Mattingly, outside a red Honda Accord. Emergency medical personnel pronounced him deceased at the scene.
Investigators with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Operations Unit determined the Honda was the only vehicle involved and that Mattingly had been traveling alone. No passengers were present.
The preliminary investigation indicates the Accord left the roadway for unknown reasons and collided with a tree. Speed, alcohol, and road conditions remain under review as potential contributing factors, though authorities have not released specific findings.
Olivers Shop Road between Edelen Drive and Bryantown Road was closed for several hours while crash reconstruction specialists documented the scene and cleared the wreckage. The roadway reopened early Saturday morning.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Operations Unit continues to investigate the cause of Friday’s crash. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant information is asked to contact Cpl. R. Fenlon at 240-216-9345. Callers may remain anonymous.
An autopsy will be performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore to determine the exact cause and manner of death. Results are pending.