News Releases

Police Investigate Now Fatal Collision on Crabbs Branch Way

For Immediate Release: Friday, December 20, 2013

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police - Collision Reconstruction Unit are investigating a now fatal collision that occurred on December 17.

On December 17, at approximately 11:29 a.m., 1st District officers and Fire/Rescue personnel responded to the intersection of Crabbs Branch Way and Indianola Drive for a report of a personal injury collision.

Investigation revealed that a 2008 blue Freightliner truck was traveling northbound in the left lane of Crabbs Branch Way.  A 1997 gold Ford Taurus was traveling northbound in the right lane of Crabbs Branch Way.  For reasons still under investigation, the Ford Taurus turned in front of and was struck by the Freightliner at the intersection of Crabbs Branch Way and Indianola Drive.

The driver and the passenger in the Ford Taurus were trapped inside of the vehicle and suffered serious injuries.  Both were transported to Suburban Hospital, the driver with life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Taurus has been identified as Valery Alexander Portnoi, age 74, of the 3100 block of N Street in Northwest, Washington, D.C.  The passenger has been identified as Atalia Portnoi, age 72, of the same address.  On today's date, Valery Portnoi succumbed to his injuries at Suburban Hospital.  Atalia Portnoi remains in critical condition.

The driver and the passenger in the Freightliner were uninjured.  The Freightliner is registered to the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control.

The driver has been identified as Benito Gonzalez, age 65, of the 1500 block of December Drive in Silver Spring.  The passenger has been identified as Allan Lule, age 28, of the 5400 block of Madison Way in Hyattsville.

The circumstances of this collision remain under investigation.  Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620.  Callers may remain anonymous.

JMS

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Release ID: 13-406
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases