Fatal Car Crash Knocks Out Traffic Signal, Closes Road For Hours In Columbia: Police

Police have identified a 28-year-old Texas man as the Tesla driver who was killed in a single-car crash in Howard County overnight that led to lengthy lane closures when he took down a traffic light.

The crash took out the traffic light at Route 175 at Route 108 in Columbia
Photo Credit: *Google Maps street view*

Zak Failla

06/23/2023 1:38 p.m.

Bryan Jesus Chaparro was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 22 on Route 175 in Columbia, the Howard County Police Department announced.

Police say that for unknown reasons, Chaparro's Tesla Model 3 was traveling east on Route 175 near Route 108 when he drove through the center of the intersection, struck a guardrail and came to rest after crashing into a traffic signal pole.

The crash and subsequent investigation forced a closure on Route 175 from Snowden River Parkway to I-95 for several hours due to signal outages caused by the crash.

It remains under investigation.

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