Driver arrested in fatal Sam Eig Highway collision in Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg City police arrested the driver of a Jeep Compass that struck a Toyota Corrolla that was stopped at a red light on Sam Eig Highway from behind around 8:30 AM on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Montgomery County police report that the Jeep driver was taken into custody for driving without a license, and suspicion of driving under the influence. The case became much more serious this week, when one of the two occupants of the Corrolla, Myrtle Gottlieb, 88, of Rockville, tragically passed away from her injuries on June 4. She and the driver of the Corrolla had both been transported to local hospitals after the crash, with Gottlieb in critical condition at the time.

A couple of interesting notes about this case: The press release stated that DUI test results for the driver "are pending at this time." It does not indicate what type of test what administered to determine blood alcohol level of the driver. A breathalyzer test would have provided instant results; blood test results would indeed take weeks, if not longer. Second, the driver's name and hometown were not provided in the press release, even though the driver is 18 years old - an adult. 

Mother charged with murder of 5-year-old son after fiery Sam Eig Highway "crash" (Photo)

A flaming 1993 Toyota Corolla off the side of Sam Eig Highway on June 16, near Fields Road in Gaithersburg, was the fiery start to a bizarre case Montgomery County Police detectives found suspicious from the beginning. Their investigation has concluded the driver, Narges Shafeirad, allegedly poisoned her 5-year-old son, Daniel Dana, with Diphenhydramine.

Police allege Shafeirad then placed her son in the car, apparently staged an auto accident, then lit the inside of the car on fire. She suffered severe burns and remains hospitalized, despite escaping the burning car.

But police say she will be taken to a detention center soon for processing, after being charged with 1st degree murder, and arson in the first degree.

Police to update public on fiery Sam Eig Hwy. crash investigation today

Today at 11:30 AM, Montgomery County Police will hold a press conference, at which they will detail their progress in the investigation of a fatal crash at Sam Eig Highway and Fields Road on June 16, 2015.

That wreck resulted in the death of a 5-year-old child, Daniel Dana. His mother, Narges Shafeirad, 33, was seriously injured and hospitalized. The suspicious nature of the accident led police to launch an investigation.

Fire at Hyatt House in Gaithersburg

Firefighters responded to a report of a "strong odor" Wednesday at the Hyatt House, an extended-stay hotel off Sam Eig Highway (I-370) in Gaithersburg along MD 355, according to MCFRS spokesperson Pete Piringer. Once they arrived, they located a fire in one unit's kitchen.

The 3-story hotel's sprinkler system kept the fire under control, Piringer said. Guests were evacuated during the incident. No injuries were reported.