News Releases

Police Investigate Serious Collision in Gaithersburg

For Immediate Release: Friday, February 22, 2013

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police - Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) continue to investigate a serious collision involving four vehicles that occurred at approximately 1:15 p.m. today on Clopper Road just north of Game Preserve Road.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2012 black Chevrolet Equinox, driven by Kent Behzad Karimi, age 37, of the unit block of Polk Court in North Potomac, was stopped in the northbound lanes of Clopper Road waiting to make a left-hand turn into the driveway of Seneca Creek State Park.  For reasons still under investigation, a white 2011 Chevrolet Express van, driven by Jose J. Marez, age 39, of the 2200 block of Regina Drive in Clarksburg, also traveling northbound on Clopper Road, struck the rear of the Equinox, pushing the Equinox into the southbound lanes of Clopper Road.

A county school bus, driven by Margaret Karen Hoyte, age 53, of the 5700 block of Trailview Court in Frederick, was traveling southbound on Clopper Road when the Equinox entered the travel lane.  The bus was unable to stop and struck the passenger’s side of the Equinox. Six special needs students and a driver’s aid were on the bus.

A fourth vehicle, a silver 2001 Volvo S40, driven by Denise C. Pareja, age 26, of the 13000 block of Open Hearth Way in Germantown, was also traveling northbound on Clopper Road.  The driver attempted to avoid striking the rear of the Chevrolet van, lost control of the Volvo, and struck a concrete bus stop area on the side of the road.

The students, bus driver, and driver’s aid were all transported to a local hospital for a check-up but did not report any serious injuries. The driver of the Chevrolet van was not injured and remained on the scene to speak with investigators.  The driver of the Equinox was transported with life-threatening injuries to a local hospital and remains in critical condition.  The driver of the Volvo was also transported to a local hospital for a check-up.

The circumstances surrounding this collision remain under investigation.  Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620.  Callers may remain anonymous.

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Release ID: 13-050
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases