It happened again. That stretch of the Baltimore Beltway that everyone loves to hate just became the scene of another tragedy. If you were sitting in that gridlock today, you already know the feeling. The sea of brake lights. The sirens that sound like they’re never going to stop. Honestly, it’s the kind of day that makes you want to never drive on 695 again.
Earlier today, January 17, 2026, a fatal crash on 695 today shut down major portions of the Inner Loop. Specifically, Maryland State Police and emergency crews were called out to the area near Exit 17, Security Boulevard. This isn't just a "fender bender" or a "traffic delay." This was a "police activity" call that turned into a grim scene, leaving commuters stranded for hours and, sadly, one person didn't make it home.
The details we know right now
Around 5:30 PM, things started going south. The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) began reporting significant issues on the Inner Loop at Security Boulevard (Mile Marker 13.0). It wasn't just a lane closure; they had to shut down the right off-ramps and the shoulders.
What's frustrating is how quickly these things escalate. One minute you're thinking about what to pick up for dinner, and the next, you're looking at a wall of emergency vehicles. According to early reports from the scene, there was a heavy presence of state troopers and the MSP Crash Team. When those guys show up, you know it's serious. They don't pull out the measurement tools and the specialized reconstruction gear for a minor scrape.
A dangerous pattern on the Beltway
You’ve probably noticed that the Westside of the Beltway feels like a gauntlet lately. Just a week ago, we were dealing with that horrific hit-and-run in Towson between Providence and Dulaney Valley Road. In that case, a 30-year-old man named Ahmed Waqus Qayun Kahn was killed after he stepped out of his car to help with a disabled vehicle.
Then you have the December incidents. We lost Officer James Beckham, a 31-year-old Baltimore City cop, in a chain-reaction mess near Perring Parkway. And don't forget Faith Tingen Tikum, who was just trying to be a Good Samaritan before being struck and killed near Security Boulevard—almost the exact same spot as today's incident.
It’s getting hard to keep track, isn't it?
The reality is that I-695 is a high-speed, high-stress environment. Between the ongoing construction projects and the sheer volume of cars, there is zero margin for error. One person looks at their phone for two seconds, or one person decides to swerve across three lanes to catch an exit, and everything changes.
Why this specific spot is so bad
If you’re a regular, you know the Security Boulevard interchange is basically a mess by design. You’ve got people merging on from the Woodlawn area while others are trying to dive toward the I-70 exits. It’s a lot of "weaving" traffic.
Maryland State Police haven't officially released the name of the victim from today's crash yet. They usually wait until the next of kin is notified, which is standard, but the weight of it still hangs over the area.
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What the MSP Crash Team looks for:
- Tire Marks: They need to see if anyone actually hit the brakes or if it was a full-speed impact.
- Vehicle Electronics: Modern cars have "black boxes" that tell investigators exactly how fast a car was going and if the driver was wearing a seatbelt.
- Road Conditions: Was there oil? Debris? A sudden patch of ice?
- Witness Video: With everyone having dashcams these days, the police are likely scouring for footage from people who were driving by at the time.
Navigating the aftermath
If you're still trying to get through that area tonight, basically, don't. The Inner Loop is a parking lot. Your best bet is to bail onto Route 40 or take the long way around via the Outer Loop if you’re coming from the north.
Honestly, the most important thing you can do right now is just slow down. I know, everyone says it. But look at the statistics. We are only 17 days into 2026, and the Zero Deaths MD dashboard is already ticking up. We’re seeing a spike in these "pedestrian-involved" or "stopped vehicle" crashes on the highway.
If your car breaks down, stay inside the vehicle with your seatbelt on. It feels counterintuitive—you want to get out and look at the engine or talk to the other driver—but as we saw with the Tikum and Kahn cases, the shoulder is not a safe place to be.
Actionable steps for your commute tomorrow:
- Check the CHART map: Before you even put your shoes on, look at the Maryland MDOT CHART website. If you see "Police Activity" at Security Boulevard, just take the back roads through Catonsville or Woodlawn.
- Dashcam investment: If you don't have one, get one. It won't stop a crash, but in a legal mess or an insurance fight, it is the only thing that proves what actually happened.
- Move over law: It’s a real law in Maryland. If you see flashing lights—police, tow trucks, or even a car with hazards—you have to move over a lane. If you can't move over, you have to slow down significantly.
The investigation into today's fatal crash on 695 today will likely take weeks to finalize. We’ll be waiting on toxicology reports and mechanical inspections. For now, our thoughts are with the family who just got the worst phone call of their lives. Stay safe out there.