WHITE HALL, MD – Maryland State Troopers are investigating a crash in which a 43-year-old man died on Thursday morning.

At about 5:30 a.m., state troopers responded to a crash at the intersection of Route 23 and White Hall Road. According to a preliminary investigation, a Dodge van, being driven by Michael Ciarpella, 64, of Jarrettsville, was stopped on northbound Route 23 preparing to make a left turn onto White Hall Road.

A Chevrolet Astro Van, being driven by James McDonald, 66, of Fallston, struck the rear of the Dodge van forcing it into the path of a Ford van. The Ford van, driven by Joseph Wheeler, 31, of Stewartstown, PA, was traveling south on Route 23 and collided with the Dodge van.

The driver of the Dodge van, Ciarpella, was flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore by Maryland State Police helicopter. The passenger of the Dodge van, Mark Griffiths, 43, of Monkton, was transported by ambulance to York Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Wheeler and McDonald were the lone occupants of their vehicles and refused treatment. At this time, no charges have been filed as troopers continue their investigation to determine the cause.

Route 23 was shut down for approximately three hours.