Three car crash kills one in Damascus

A three-car collision claimed the life of one driver and seriously injured another in Damascus Monday night, March 2, 2026. According to police, the driver of a Toyota Camry was traveling northbound on Ridge Road (Route 27) at a high rate of speed. Just past Sweepstakes Drive, he allegedly struck a Lexus NX350, and was ejected onto the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Lexus driver was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. She was trapped in her vehicle and had to be extricated by first responders. A Ford Fusion was also involved in the collision. Police did not specify the manner in which it became involved, but confirmed that the Fusion driver was uninjured. Another tragic reminder that Montgomery County has failed to build the Damascus Bypass.

Germantown man dies in Damascus auto accident

A one-car auto accident claimed the life of a Germantown man early yesterday morning, January 14, 2026. Michael Patrick Fitzgerald Jr., 28, was found unconscious in his 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, which left the roadway and struck a tree at the intersection of Bethesda Church Road and Johnson Drive in Damascus at 1:19 AM Wednesday. Fitzgerald was transported to a local hospital, where he tragically passed away later from his injuries. Montgomery County police ask that anyone with information regarding this collision contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620.

Fatal single-vehicle crash claims life of Germantown man in Damascus

A tragic single-vehicle collision in Damascus early Sunday morning has resulted in the death of a 27-year-old Germantown resident. At approximately 4:05 a.m. on Sunday, November 30, 2025, Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District officers and Fire and Rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene at the intersection of Ridge Road and Kings Valley Road following reports of a crash.

Upon arrival, responders located a gray 2013 Honda Civic coupe that had suffered a catastrophic crash. The vehicle had left the roadway, struck a fire hydrant, hit an embankment, and overturned.

The driver, identified as Bilcher Ronaldino Huinil Lopez, the sole occupant of the car, was ejected from the vehicle and found in the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The preliminary investigation into the crash suggests the Honda was traveling southbound when the driver lost control of the vehicle. Authorities have indicated that evidence found at the scene suggests that alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the fatal collision.

The investigation is currently being led by the Collision Reconstruction Unit of the Montgomery County Police Department. Due to the complex nature of reconstructing the events, it may take several weeks or longer for the investigation to be completed.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has information regarding the incident to come forward. Please contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit directly at 240-773-6620.

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. 

Driver escapes injury after crashing into Poolesville post office

A driver escaped unharmed after crashing into the U.S. Post Office at 19800 Fisher Avenue in Poolesville Monday, January 27, 2025. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer said the driver declined an ambulance ride to the hospital for further testing, after being evaluated at the scene by paramedics. Fortunately, no patrons were on the sidewalk or in the lobby area at the time of the collision. A County building inspector was called in to ensure the structural integrity of the library, and determine the extent of the damage, Piringer said.

Photo courtesy MCFRS/Pete Piringer

Gaithersburg man charged in fatal auto accident

A Gaithersburg man is facing charges in the July 20, 2024 crash that killed a Germantown man, Montgomery County police announced today. Agustin E. Jaramillo Lopez, 45, has been charged with negligent manslaughter by vehicle after his pickup truck rear-ended a Nissan Altima driven by Isaac Akomanyi, 39, of Germantown. Akomanyi later died at a local hospital.

Jaramillo Lopez' blood alcohol content was recorded at 0.159 one hour after the collision, police say, nearly twice the legal limit. He is currently being held without bond. His mugshot was not released by police.

Gaithersburg man dies after being struck by driver of SUV

A Gaithersburg man was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by the driver of a gray 2020 Honda CR-V in Montgomery Hills Tuesday night, February 13, 2024. Khalid Shakir Scriven, 27, was in the roadway of the 9500 block of Georgia Avenue near Flora Lane around 8:00 PM when he was hit. The driver of the CR-V remained at the scene and is cooperating with police.

An accident investigation is active and ongoing, police say. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact CRU detectives at (240) 773-6620.

Gaithersburg woman killed in Germantown collision

A young Gaithersburg woman has died after an automobile collision on MD 355 in Germantown. Daniela Fernanda Pineda, 20, was driving a blue 2007 Honda Civic southbound on Frederick Road around 12:16 PM on Tuesday, December 26, 2023. For reasons yet to be determined by investigators, Pineda's car crossed the median into oncoming traffic, striking a northbound 2021 Ford Transit van in the vicinity of Wheatfield Drive.

Pineda was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Tragically, she later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. The driver of the van was also taken to a hospital. Montgomery County police describe his injuries as non-life-threatening.

This accident is still under active investigation by the Collision Reconstruction Unit of the Montgomery County Police Department. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact CRU detectives at (240) 773-6620. 

Florida woman killed when her motorcycle collides with a deer in Dickerson

Montgomery County police announced that a Florida woman riding a motorcycle in Dickerson was killed when a deer collided with her Sunday night, July 9, 2023. Michelle Lee Beach, 53, of Dunedin, Florida was following another motorcyclist in the 21400 block of Beallsville Road around 8:43 PM Sunday when a deer entered the roadway and struck her motorcycle. Beach was thrown from her motorcycle by the collision. She was transported to a local hospital, where she later died. The accident occurred in the southbound lane near Sellman Road, in the vicinity of the Barnesville MARC station.

Germantown man killed in MD 355 collision

A Germantown man was killed in a two car collision Saturday night on Frederick Road in Germantown, Montgomery County poice said in statement yesterday. Jose Vidal Urias Beltran, 30, was turning left from northbound Frederick Road (MD 355) onto westbound Plummer Drive around 11:16 PM Saturday, when his 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee struck a silver 2006 Ford F-250 pickup truck that was heading south on Frederick Road. Urias Beltran was pronounced dead at the scene.  

Police have not yet declared which driver was at fault in the wreck. The Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this collision. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact CRU detectives at 240-773-6620.  

Pedestrian struck at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services personnel are responding to a report of a pedestrian being struck at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. The victim was struck in front of the Target store, according to the MCFRS dispatcher. There is so far no report on the victim's injuries.

Fatal pedestrian collision in Gaithersburg

A pedestrian has died, four days after he was allegedly struck by a vehicle in Gaithersburg. Douglas Ariel Perez Martinez passed away Tuesday in an unspecified local hospital, Montgomery County police said Wednesday. Martinez was struck by a 2012 Mercedes Benz C300 while trying to cross MD 355 at North Westland Drive around 9:19 PM Friday. Police did not specify whether Martinez was in a crosswalk or not.

Police investigate fatal crash in Damascus

Montgomery County Police are investigating a one-car accident that killed the vehicle's lone occupant Tuesday night around 6:25 PM. Officers responding to the scene in the 5200 block of Damascus Road found a silver, 2002 Volkswagen Passat that had exited the roadway and struck a utility pole.

The driver, David Mark Harris, 20, of the 20200 block of Lea Pond Place in Gaithersburg, died from his injuries at the scene.

This collision remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed this collision is asked to call the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620.

Police investigating Gaithersburg accident

Montgomery County Police are investigating a one car crash that occurred Saturday night in Gaithersburg. Police say a 2004 Infiniti driven by Ana C. Martinez de Sanchez, 28, of Gaithersburg was traveling north in the southbound lanes of Muddy Branch Road around 9:30 PM, when it struck a traffic island at the intersection with W. Diamond Avenue.

Martinez de Sanchez and two children in the vehicle were transported to local hospitals with injuries. A 6-year-old passenger suffered life-threatening injuries. No update on his condition is available at press time. The others' injuries were not life-threatening, according to police, who are investigating whether or not alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

Anyone who witnessed this collision, or has information about it, is asked to call the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620.

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.

Police investigating fatal accident in Clarksburg

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit are investigating a fatal, single-vehicle crash in Clarksburg on July 28. Richard Pliszak, 54, of the 4500 block of Roop Road in Mount Airy was killed Tuesday when his 2007 Ford Fusion struck a utility pole in the 26600 block of Clarksburg Road around 9:24 PM.

Investigators are seeking to determine the cause of the crash. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620.

Storm causes fatal accident in Poolesville

A 79-year-old man was killed last night in Poolesville, when his vehicle struck a tree felled by a violent storm. The victim's identity is being withheld by Montgomery County Police until his family can be notified.

Around 8:30 PM last night, the man was driving his 2008 Chevrolet S-10 pickup east on Darnestown Road when he struck a downed tree. Earlier reports from police and fire departments suggested power lines had also been knocked down, with the wires trapping the driver inside.

The collision occurred at the intersection of Darnestown Road and Cattail Road, where the driver was pronounced dead.

Last evening's storm caused many scattered power outages in Germantown and Gaithersburg, as well.

Detectives continue to investigate this collision. Anyone who witnessed this collision is asked to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620.

Pedestrian struck in Germantown Sunday

Montgomery County Police detectives from the Collision Reconstruction Unit are investigating an accident that left a Germantown pedestrian in critical condition last night. Officers and fire/EMS personnel responded to a crash around 10:07 PM Sunday near the intersection of MD 355 and Gunners Branch Road. They found an unconscious adult male in the northbound lanes of 355. He was transported to a local trauma center for treatment.

According to police, the 37-year-old pedestrian had allegedly been struck by a 2000 Chrysler Town and Country minivan, driven by James Kellogg McHenry of Montgomery Village. The driver remained on the scene and cooperated with police in the investigation. He has not been charged in the incident.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240.773.6620.