A 35-year-old woman was killed and her child injured after a car crash in Landover, Maryland, involving four teenagers driving a stolen vehicle, according to local authorities. The incident occurred on Martin Luther King Jr. Highway on August 26.
At an August 26 news conference, Prince George’s County Police Acting Chief George Nader said the teens involved were between the ages of 15 and 17. The victim has been identified as Shaunte Denise Canty of Washington, D.C., according to an August 27 news release from the Prince George’s County Police Department. A county official confirmed at the news conference that Canty was a young mother.
Canty died at the scene while her child passenger sustained serious injuries but survived, police reported.
The four teenagers are likely to face charges as detectives consult with the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office about potential charges. As of August 27, one teen was in police custody while three others remained hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Prior to the collision, officers from the Seat Pleasant Police Department had spotted the stolen car being driven by the teens. The vehicle had been reported stolen on August 22. An officer initially followed the car from a distance while waiting for support from a helicopter unit operated by Prince George’s County Police Department, according to an August 26 release from Seat Pleasant Police Department.
However, a police commander ordered that officer to end the pursuit. After complying with this directive, the officer later came upon the crash site where Canty’s vehicle had been struck by the stolen car.
Despite efforts to save her life at the scene, Canty was pronounced dead.
“Our hearts are heavy and our condolences go out to the family during this incredibly difficult time,” stated Seat Pleasant Police Department.
Authorities also said that Prince George’s County detectives are investigating whether these four teenagers may have committed other unrelated crimes involving the same stolen vehicle.
Prince George’s County is located about twenty miles southeast of Washington, D.C.