News Releases

Driver Charged in May 2025 Fatal Collision

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Gaithersburg, MD - Investigators with the Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) have charged an 18-year-old Germantown man in connection with a May collision that resulted in the death of an 88-year-old Rockville woman.

On Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, Liam Donnelly Coskun, of Germantown, turned himself in to police and was arrested on an active warrant related to the death of Myrtle Gottlieb, who died on June 4.

The charges stem from a two-vehicle collision that occurred on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at approximately 8:35 a.m., near the intersection of westbound Sam Eig Highway and Fields Road in Gaithersburg. Officers from the Gaithersburg City Police Department responded to the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a blue 2017 Toyota Corolla was stopped at a red traffic signal when it was hit from behind by a blue 2018 Jeep Compass driven by Coskun. The impact caused serious injuries to Gottlieb, a front-seat passenger in the Toyota. She and the driver of the Toyota were transported to an area hospital, where Gottlieb later died from her injuries.

Investigators determined that Coskun was intoxicated and traveling at a high rate of speed when he crashed into the rear of the Toyota. Coskun, who was not injured in the collision, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence. Approximately two hours after the crash, he submitted to a breathalyzer test that registered a 0.09 BAC. Investigators also confirmed that Coskun does not have a valid driver’s license in any state.

Upon completion of the investigation, CRU investigators determined Coskun was at fault and has been charged with negligent manslaughter by vehicle and negligent homicide by vehicle while under the influence.

He is currently being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.

 

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Release ID: 25-558
Media Contact: S.D. Goff 
Categories: arrest , fatal-collision