News Releases

Police Investigate Fatal Pedestrian Collision in Gaithersburg

For Immediate Release: Saturday, January 25, 2014

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police - Collision Reconstruction Unit are investigating a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred Friday afternoon in Gaithersburg.

On January 24 at 2:23 p.m., 6th District patrol officers and fire rescue units responded for a personal injury collision in the 7400 block of Muncaster Mill Road in Gaithersburg.  Upon arrival, officers observed a two vehicle collision as well as two pedestrians that were struck as a result of the initial collision.

The preliminary investigation indicates that a blue 1996 Honda Accord and a blue 2004 Chrysler Sebring were both northbound on Muncaster Mill Road.  The Honda was in lane one and the Chrysler was in lane two.  As the two lanes began to merge, the vehicles collided.  The Honda struck a utility pole and the Chrysler left the roadway, struck two pedestrians that were on the sidewalk, and then struck a tree.

The two pedestrians were transported to local hospitals where one pedestrian succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.  The second pedestrian was admitted in critical condition.  Both pedestrians attend the nearby Covenant Life School.

The drivers of the vehicles along with one occupant were transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.  All occupants in the vehicles attend Magruder High School.

The deceased is identified as Teressa Rosalind French, age 16, of the 800 block of Tingey Crescent SE in Washington, D.C.  The second pedestrian is identified as Emily Grace Lowe, age 13, of the 22400 block of Goshen School Road in Gaithersburg.

The driver of the Chrysler is identified as Hugo Fernando Da Silva Rompante, age 17, of the unit block of Calabar Court in Gaithersburg. Two passengers in the Chrysler are identified as Johnny Allen Boykin, Jr., age 19, of the 8200 block of Streamside Place in Gaithersburg and Keanu Ashton Lee, age 17, of the 7900 block of Badenlock Way in Gaithersburg.

The driver of the Honda is identified as Oscar Javier Fuentes, age 17, of the 8400 block of Tea Rose Drive in Gaithersburg.

The investigation is continuing but detectives believe that speed was a factor in this collision.  No charges have been placed at this time.  Once the investigation is complete, detectives will discuss the case with the State's Attorney's Office to determine appropriate charges.

Detectives would like to talk to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or events leading up to the collision.

Anyone with information should call 240-773-6620.  Callers that wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS or leave an online tip here.

JMD

Note: Edited Hugo Fernando Da Silva Rompante's name on 01/27/2014 to clarify middle name.

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Release ID: 14-024
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases