On Dec. 23 at 11:15 p.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to the 6100 block of Stinnett Place
in La Plata, for the report of an ATV crash.

A preliminary investigation revealed the victim, Joseph Adam Panciera, 24 of La Plata, was operating an ATV when he lost control and struck a tree. The ATV overturned and landed on top of the victim and his passenger, a 21-year-old female from Waldorf.

Panciera was pronounced dead on the scene and the woman was transported to a hospital where she was admitted with life-threatening injuries.

This incident remains under investigation.