Derek P. Volkmer Remembered in Glen Burnie for His Military Service, Family Devotion and Humor

 The Glen Burnie, Maryland, community is remembering Derek P. Volkmer, 40, whose life ended unexpectedly on September 3, 2026, after the tractor-trailer he was driving left northbound Interstate 95 in Stafford County, Virginia. For relatives, friends, fellow veterans, and colleagues, the news represents much more than a highway tragedy. Derek was a father, fiancé, Soldier, hardworking professional, and friend whose humor and loyalty made a lasting impression on people who knew him.

Virginia State Police said the tractor-trailer left the right side of I-95 near Exit 140 at Courthouse Road at about 11:20 a.m. The vehicle struck the Courthouse Road overpass and overturned, and Derek was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not established publicly why the tractor-trailer left the roadway, and the investigation remains underway. Keeping that distinction clear matters, especially when early details surrounding a serious roadway event can change as investigators review evidence and circumstances.

Away from the highway, Derek’s life centered on the people closest to him. Friends said he was preparing to marry his fiancée, Jen, in November, while raising two young children, Jae and Jax. The family had been looking toward a new chapter together, making his unexpected death especially difficult. For his children, memories of their father will be built from everyday moments: time together at home, conversations, laughter, family traditions, and the guidance he provided as they grew.

Derek also carried the experience of a multi-tour U.S. Army Infantry veteran. A former military colleague recalled serving with him in Egypt from 2011 to 2012 with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, during the Multinational Force and Observers mission. At remote outposts, Derek was remembered for keeping morale high with quick humor and constant wisecracks. That ability to bring laughter into demanding circumstances became one of the qualities his fellow Soldiers remembered most.

The friendships Derek formed during military service continued long after deployment. Former comrades remained connected, meeting when they could to catch up, share stories, and enjoy familiar traditions. One longtime friend described Derek as a good man, a good Soldier, and someone with an unforgettable sense of humor. Such personal memories offer a fuller picture of his life than the circumstances surrounding his death alone. They show a man whose relationships continued across different chapters of adulthood.

Now, attention has turned toward supporting Jen, Jae, Jax, and the wider family as they face the practical and emotional challenges ahead. Friends have rallied around them, recognizing that grief affects every part of daily life, from household responsibilities to future plans that suddenly look different. Derek’s military service, work ethic, devotion to his children, and willingness to make people laugh are among the qualities that loved ones can carry forward as they remember him.

Derek P. Volkmer will be remembered in Glen Burnie and among the people he met through military service, family life, work, and friendship. His death ended a life that held plans, responsibilities, and hopes for the future, but it cannot erase the memories created along the way. For Jae and Jax, those memories may become an enduring connection to their father; for Jen, relatives, veterans, and friends, they will remain part of the story of a man who mattered deeply. His legacy is found in service, family, humor, and the people who continue to carry his memory.