Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2025, the bustling stretch of Route 202 at St. Joseph’s Drive in Prince George’s County, Maryland, became the scene of a heart-wrenching catastrophe. A seven-vehicle collision, sparked by a moment of chaos, claimed the lives of two women and left a community grappling with loss. The Maryland State Police have charged 28-year-old Tierra Johnson of Upper Marlboro in connection with the crash, as investigators piece together the events that led to this devastating tragedy.
The victims, Tara Gross, 50, of Camp Springs, and Dandra Byrd, 31, of Riverdale, were traveling together in a Mercedes-Benz E 300 when their lives were cut short. Both women were pronounced dead at the scene, their vehicle caught in a violent chain reaction that unfolded just after 1 p.m. Emergency responders, including troopers from the Forestville Barrack and Prince George’s County Police, rushed to the chaotic scene following a flood of 911 calls reporting the collision.
According to the Maryland State Police Crash Team, the incident began when Johnson, driving a Honda Accord northbound on Route 202, struck a curb divider at St. Joseph’s Drive. The impact sent her vehicle soaring into the air, a fleeting moment that unleashed a cascade of destruction. Losing control, Johnson’s Accord slammed into a Toyota Tundra, forcing it into a Dodge Grand Caravan. The momentum carried the Accord forward, crashing into four more vehicles, including the Mercedes carrying Gross and Byrd. The Accord finally came to a stop, overturned in a ditch, as the wreckage of the crash spread across the roadway.
Emergency crews worked tirelessly amidst the debris, transporting five individuals, including Johnson, to the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center for treatment. Several others at the scene were evaluated for minor injuries, their lives forever marked by the harrowing event. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration stepped in to manage road closures, allowing investigators to comb through the scene for answers.
Speed, investigators say, was a critical factor in the crash. The force of the Accord’s airborne collision set off a domino effect, leaving behind a trail of shattered vehicles and broken lives. Tierra Johnson now faces charges in connection with the incident, with the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office poised to determine the full scope of prosecution as the investigation continues.
As the community mourns the loss of Tara Gross and Dandra Byrd, questions linger about the moments leading up to the crash. The Maryland State Police Crash Team is working diligently to uncover the complete circumstances, piecing together witness accounts, physical evidence, and the stark reality of a tragedy that unfolded in mere seconds. For now, Route 202 stands as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the ripple effects of a single, fleeting moment.