John Welin, Karen Berneck, and Thomas Stevao Obituary, Cause of Death: Three Lives Lost in Maryland I-68 Crash

CUMBERLAND, Md. — Family members, friends, and loved ones are mourning the deaths of John Welin, 79, Karen Berneck, 81, and Thomas Stevao, 25, who were killed in a devastating two-vehicle crash Sunday on Interstate 68 in Maryland.

According to the Maryland State Police, troopers from the Cumberland Barrack responded to eastbound I-68 near Maryland Route 36 after receiving reports of a serious collision.

Three Killed in I-68 Crash

Preliminary information indicates that a Subaru Forester was traveling westbound when it crossed the grass median and entered the eastbound lanes. The Subaru then collided head-on with a Volkswagen Tiguan.

John Welin, of Roscoe, Illinois, was identified as the driver of the Subaru. His passenger, Karen Berneck, also of Roscoe, was killed in the collision. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Thomas Stevao, 25, of Centreville, Virginia, was a passenger in the Volkswagen and was also pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash left two additional people injured.

Volkswagen driver Patrick Kaczmarek, 25, of Clifton, Virginia, was flown by the Maryland State Police Aviation Command to a local trauma center for treatment. Passenger Jacqueline Durham, 25, also of Clifton, was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.

John Welin, Karen Berneck and Thomas Stevao Remembered

The sudden deaths of Welin, Berneck, and Stevao have left their families and friends facing an unimaginable loss.

Each victim had their own relationships, experiences, and memories with the people around them. For those mourning, those memories will remain an important part of remembering their lives as they navigate the difficult days ahead.

The circumstances of the crash have also left loved ones seeking answers about what caused the Subaru to cross the median and enter the opposite lanes of traffic.

Investigation Into Fatal Maryland Crash

The Maryland State Police Crash Team is investigating the collision. Authorities are working to determine why the Subaru crossed the grass median before the head-on crash.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details may be released as investigators establish the circumstances surrounding the collision.

At this time, no further assumptions should be made about the cause of the crash beyond the preliminary information released by authorities.

Families Mourn Three Lives Lost

For the families and friends of John Welin, Karen Berneck, and Thomas Stevao, the crash represents a heartbreaking and sudden loss.

Their loved ones are now left to remember the lives they shared, the memories they created, and the moments that made each person important to those around them.

The thoughts and condolences of the community remain with their families, friends, and the two injured survivors as they recover from the devastating incident.

John Welin, Karen Berneck, and Thomas Stevao will be remembered with love and dignity. Their lives may have ended suddenly, but the memories they left behind will remain with those who knew and loved them.