Photo by Bill Green Rescue workers move one of two people injured in a single-vehicle crash on I-270 south of Md. 85 on Wednesday morning. Purchase this photo

Two people were injured in a single-vehicle crash about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday on southbound I-270 near Md. 85, according to the United Steam Fire Engine Co.

A silver Subaru Legacy wagon hit the guardrail and the driver was partially ejected from his seat into the windshield, according to Maryland State Police.

Witnesses said a black Chevrolet truck with Maryland registration and a Washington Redskins sticker on the back had been driving erratically and weaving in and out of lanes, police said. The truck cut the Subaru off and forced it off the road and into the guardrail, witnesses said, then drove away.

The driver of the Subaru and his passenger had injuries that were not life-threatening, officials said. One was taken to Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown, and the other was taken to Frederick Memorial Hospital, fire officials said.

Both lanes of southbound I-270 were closed for about 45 minutes.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call state police at 301-600-4150.

-- Gina Gallucci-White

Small fire at school

A small fire in a mechanical room at West Frederick Middle School was found and extinguished about 10:40 a.m. Wednesday, principal Daniel Lippy wrote in a letter sent home to parents.

Welding ignited moisture-control plastic in a crawl space, Lippy wrote. The construction crew extinguished the blaze before fire officials arrived.

The school was evacuated and students were allowed back inside 25 minutes later, after the building was deemed safe, he wrote. Residual fumes from the burned plastic were evident in the gym lobby for about an hour after students and staff returned to the building.

-- Gina Gallucci-White

Armed man reported near school

A report of an armed, suspicious man walking in the area of Parkway Elementary School sent the school into lockdown mode Wednesday afternoon while police canvassed the area, said Frederick police spokesman Lt. Clark Pennington.

The lockdown lasted about 15 to 20 minutes, he said. Police found no evidence of a suspicious person, he said.

The caller told police she saw a white man carrying a rifle or shotgun walking near or on the grounds of Parkway Elementary at 3:04 p.m., Pennington said. The school is at 300 Carroll Parkway.

The caller said the man was thin and appeared to be in his mid-30s. He was wearing a baseball cap, a checkered shirt with a blue vest over it, blue jeans and boots, according to a Frederick Police Department press release.

"We are going to patrol the area more heavily tomorrow," Pennington said.

While police canvassed the area, the department's Community Services Division kept neighboring schools informed, he said.

-- Pamela Rigaux