News Releases

Detectives Continue to Investigate Columbia Pike Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Fatality; Victim's Identity Released

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Gaithersburg, MD — Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit have located and identified the driver of one of the vehicles involved in a fatal hit-and-run collision that killed a 73-year-old woman.

 

Detectives have also confirmed that the other car involved in the hit-and run is a Toyota Solara. Based on evidence recovered from the collision scene and after interviewing additional witnesses, it was determined that a Toyota Tacoma was not involved in the initial collision.

 

The fatal collision occurred on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in the area of southbound Columbia Pike (Route 29) and Fairland Road in Silver Spring. The collision resulted in the death of Florence L. Chumbow, of Silver Spring.

At approximately 6:39 p.m., 3rd District officers and Fire Rescue personnel responded to the area for the report of a pedestrian collision. Upon arrival, responders located Chumbow dead in the roadway.

 

Witnesses who remained on the scene described two separate collisions.

 

The investigation has determined the first collision occurred as Chumbow was crossing the southbound lanes of Columbia Pike, where she was struck near the crosswalk in lane one by a red or maroon 1999–2003 Toyota Solara. Witnesses stated Chumbow was crossing against a green signal for southbound Columbia Pike. The driver of the Solara continued southbound on Columbia Pike and did not return to the scene.

 

The Toyota Solara is believed to have damage to the left front area, including a broken left headlight assembly with the lens cover missing, damage to or missing the left side-view mirror, damage to the left front bumper or fender area, and missing plastic covering from the left front inner fender well.

 

The second collision occurred when Chumbow was run over by an orange, older-model Ford Crown Victoria traveling eastbound on Fairland Road. The Crown Victoria and its driver have been located and identified.

The Toyota Solara remains outstanding, and CRU detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the driver.

 

This remains an active and ongoing investigation.

 

Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact Collision Reconstruction Unit detectives at [email protected] or 240-773-6620.

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Release ID: 26-013
Media Contact: DBartels 
Categories: fatal-collision