News Releases

For Immediate Release: Friday, November 7, 2014

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department-Collision Reconstruction Unit continue to investigate a pedestrian collision that occurred last evening in Wheaton.

Last night at approximately 7:14 p.m., officers and Fire& Rescue personnel responded to the report of a hit-and-run pedestrian collision that had just occurred in the parking lot of the Stoneymill Square shopping center (12265 Veirs Mill Road) in the area of the Unique Thrift store and the Burger King. Upon arriving to the parking lot, officers spoke with the 17-year-old pedestrian, who stated that he had been struck by a dark color SUV that had fled the area after the collision. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital. During his transport to the hospital, the pedestrian’s condition deteriorated and his injuries are critical.

A short time after the collision, three people arrived to the 4^th District (Wheaton) police station to report a vandalism and assault. A 21-year-old male stated to officers that he and his two friends, an adult male and an adult female, were eating at the Burger King located at 12265 Veirs Mill Road. The male explained that he and his friends observed a group of males, watching them from outside of the restaurant. When the 21-year-old male and his friends exited the restaurant, the group of approximately five to ten males began running at the male and his two friends. The 21-year-old male and his friends got into his vehicle, a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The group of males began to throw rocks and attempted to get inside of the vehicle. Fearing for his safety and the safety of his two friends, the 21-year-old male drove his vehicle out of the parking lot. The driver stated that he was unaware that he had struck anyone.

Detectives examined the striking vehicle and observed evidence that rocks had been thrown at the vehicle and that a pedestrian had been struck. Detectives believe that the pedestrian may have been struck by the SUV as the vehicle attempted to get away from the group.

Because this is an ongoing investigation, the names of those involved in this collision are not being released at this time. What actions the pedestrian may or may not have taken during the incident are still under investigation and it is unknown whether anyone in the two groups may have known each other.

Collision Reconstruction Unit detectives are urging anyone with information about this collision and/or the events that may have occurred prior to this collision to please call: 240-773-6620. Callers may remain anonymous.

Update: November 7, 2014 at 3:22 p.m. - Photos added of damage to vehicle involved in pedestrian collision provided by vehicle operator.