New Carrollton, Maryland — Troy Coley, 35, was killed Sunday afternoon in a heartbreaking crash that has left a tight‑knit community reeling. The collision happened around 3:45 p.m. at the intersection of Three Notch Road and Hollywood Road in St. Mary’s County, when another vehicle blew through a red light and slammed into the car where Coley was riding.
Officials say a 2013 Toyota Camry, driven by 42‑year‑old Keith Mersing II of Charlotte Hall, failed to stop for a red light while heading south on Three Notch Road. The Camry struck a 2016 GMC Sierra that was making a left turn. Coley was in the front passenger seat of the Camry. Both he and Mersing were rushed to a nearby hospital, but neither survived their injuries. The driver and a juvenile passenger in the GMC suffered only minor injuries.
Friends and family remember Troy as the kind of man you couldn’t forget. He was generous by nature and always made time to lift up anyone who needed help. His laughter filled rooms, and his calm kindness was a steady presence to those close to him. People talk about how he checked in on neighbors, offered a helping hand without being asked, and made everyone feel like they mattered.
The news of his sudden death hit the community like a shockwave. Neighbors described their disbelief, saying Troy was someone who always smiled and carried himself with a gentle spirit. Children waved when he drove by, adults stopped to say hello, and everyone who knew him says the neighborhood feels emptier without him.
Onlookers at the crash site said the intersection is busy, but usually controlled with traffic signals that people take for granted — until tragedy strikes. Investigators noted excessive speed and reckless driving as factors in the deadly crash, and law enforcement has reminded drivers to slow down and obey traffic laws to prevent more loss.
As friends and family gather to remember Troy, stories of his warmth and care weave through every conversation. A cousin recalled how Troy once helped a stranger change a flat tire in the rain, refusing any thanks. A childhood friend spoke about late nights laughing on the porch, memories now tinged with deep sorrow.
The grief in New Carrollton stretches beyond Coley’s immediate circle. People who never met him in a close way still felt his presence through community events and everyday kindness. His life, though tragically cut short, made a lasting mark on many hearts. The memory of Troy’s gentle spirit and genuine care will live on in the stories people share and the quiet moments they remember him.
