Accident kills La Plata man

Driver hurt after crash

Friday, Dec. 12, 2008

The single-car accident happened after Frank Richard Jones, 20, of Waldorf lost control of a Toyota Scion while traveling east on Bryantown Road, according to the Charles County Sheriff's Office.

Although he had been wearing a seat belt, the Scion's front-seat passenger, Christopher James Wright, 26, of La Plata, was ejected from the car in the wreck, police reported.

At about 1:39 a.m., sheriff's officers responded to the crash at 4760 Bryantown Road.

Wright was pronounced dead on the scene, and Jones was taken to Prince George's Hospital Center with injuries that were not life-threatening.

"[Wright] was a very loving son, brother and uncle, and we're all gonna miss him," said his sister, Kara Vermillion, through tears.

Vermillion said Wright grew up in the area as the second of three children. Vermillion was the oldest sibling and said she was "always watching out for my little brother."

Wright graduated from La Plata High School and worked painting cars at Gary Best Kustumz, an auto body shop in Waldorf, according to his sister. He liked his job, and also liked hunting and watching football, she said.

At the time of his death, he was thinking of joining the Army.

"He wanted to get some direction and make a career out of it," Vermillion said.

Although he wasn't a father, Wright liked kids and was a loving uncle to Vermillion's children, who are 3 and 5.

"As soon as he'd walk in the door, [my children] would be all over him," Vermillion said.

The cause of the accident is under investigation. Cpl. D. Belfield is investigating.

brodgers@somdnews.com