Police continue probe of deadly crash

Carroll County (Map, News) - A minivan full of teenagers swerved off the road into a tree Saturday night in Carroll County, killing two passengers and leaving two others seriously injured, state police said.

Paul Burke, 17, of Sykesville, was driving a tan Chevrolet minivan at a high rate of speed northbound on Louisville Road in Finksburg about 11:30 p.m. Saturday, according to police reports. Burke apparently fell asleep at the wheel, lost control of the van and struck a tree on the passenger side, according to police.

The crash killed Burke’s younger sister, Emily Margaret Burke, 15, of Sykesville, who was sitting sideways unbelted behind him and Rodolfo “Rudy” Calderon, 14, of Finksburg, who was pinned under the dashboard in the front passenger seat, according to police reports. Both died at the scene.

Alison Hird, 15, who was sitting in the back seat, was listed in serious but stable condition Sunday at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.

Paul Burke was treated and released from the same hospital.

“Emily was sort of stereotypical. She was just great,” said her mother, Tracy Burke, who was distraught Sunday afternoon.

“She will be missed.”

Emily Burke was an honor student at Liberty High School where she played soccer and varsity softball. She also played violin in the orchestra, her mother said in a phone interview.

Calderon, a Westminster High School student, was the youngest of 10 brothers and sisters. Calderon’s father, Roberto Calderon, said the teens were on their way home from a friend’s house.

“Our family remembers Rudy as a kid with a great heart. He loved making people laugh, reading and watching movies,” said the victim’s brother, Julio Calderon, 31.

“He had dreams of becoming a writer. He was personally inspiring to me. Perhaps one day I’ll be half as great as he was.”

cpeirce@baltimoreexaminer.com

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