The Olands, married for 70 years, were critically injured in a two-vehicle crash near U.S. Route 15 and Hessong Bridge Road on Feb. 24 and died six days later in a Baltimore hospital while holding hands. Authorities say 90-year-old Kenneth Oland attempted to cross Route 15 and was struck; investigators believe his vehicle failed to yield. Both were flown to a trauma center and later taken off life support; Maryland's medical examiner ruled their deaths accidental. Family and friends remembered the couple's enduring bond and community presence.
Couple Married 70 Years Die Holding Hands After Maryland Crash; Family Says They "Chose To Leave This Earth Together"
Kenneth and Marilyn Oland.Credit: Stauffer Funeral Homes
A longtime Thurmont, Maryland couple who had been married for 70 years were critically injured in a two-vehicle crash on Feb. 24 and died six days later while holding hands at a Baltimore hospital, family members and officials said.
Kenneth and Marilyn Oland were transported to a trauma center after the collision near the intersection of U.S. Route 15 and Hessong Bridge Road. According to relatives, staff placed their hospital beds side-by-side and the pair were taken off life support on March 2; they died while holding hands.
Family Remembers A Lifelong Partnership
Their granddaughter, Kristie Hopkins, told FOX affiliate WTTG that the couple "chose to be together every day and chose to go away together and leave this earth together." She said their legacy was simple: humility, kindness and helping others. The Olands were married in 1955, moved to Thurmont eight years later, and are survived by three children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Crash Details And Investigation
The Maryland Department of State Police said troopers responded just after 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24 to a report of a two-vehicle collision near U.S. Route 15 and Hessong Bridge Road. A preliminary investigation indicates that 90-year-old Kenneth Oland was driving a Ford Five Hundred south on Hessong Bridge Road when he attempted to cross U.S. Route 15 and was struck on the side by a northbound Chevrolet Cruze driven by Lynne Mott of Lewistown, N.Y. Investigators believe the Ford failed to yield the right of way.
The Thurmont Senior Center in Thurmont, Md.Credit: Google Maps
Both Kenneth (90) and his wife Marilyn (88) were flown to a local trauma center in critical condition. The Chevrolet's driver was transported to a hospital by ambulance. Authorities said the crash remains under investigation.
Medical Findings
A spokesperson for Maryland's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed both deaths were the result of the accident. Kenneth Oland's listed causes included hypoxia, pneumonia, pulmonary contusions and rib fractures; Marilyn Oland's causes were listed as cardiac arrest, respiratory distress and rib fractures.
Community Reaction
Friends at the Thurmont Senior Center, where the couple regularly ate and played bingo, said they had left the center about 15 minutes before the crash. "It's a big void here," said friend Nancy Rice. Another friend, Nancy Echard, described being "totally heartbroken," noting that the pair were always seen together around town.
"Their legacy is just how to be humans — be humble and kind and graceful to others and help strangers in need," Hopkins said.
State police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.
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