MD News

Investigators believe speed may have contributed to deadly Gaithersburg crash

ByAbu Sillah

PublishedSeptember 11, 2020

Two people are dead after a multi-vehicle crash in Gaithersburg on Wednesday night.

Investigators say Stephanie Angelica Vasquez was driving a 2020 Toyota Supra northbound on Muddy Branch Road when she collided with a 2001 Honda Accord that was traveling south on Muddy Branch and turning left onto West Deer Park Road. Officers responded to the collision at about 6:37 p.m. Wednesday.

Update – Double FATAL Collision – Muddy Branch Rd & W Deer Park Rd, @mcpnews Collision Reconstruction Unit have confirmed a 2nd fatality in the collision on Muddy Branch Rd at W. Deer Park Rd. The PD investigation remains ongoing. https://t.co/0ZxZaD85hv pic.twitter.com/C752Nezomu

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) September 10, 2020

ICYMI (9/9 ~635p) Muddy Branch Road near West Deer Park Road, Gaithersburg, 2-car collision, @MCFRS_EMIHS evaluated total 5 patients, incl 3 Pri2 traumas & otherwise PD have confirmed 2 DOAs – double fatal collision https://t.co/Gsq8gQA3Zt pic.twitter.com/PVffk3nPUK

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) September 10, 2020

Vasquez and her passenger, 35-Year-Old Jonathan Charkas, of Rockville, were both pronounced dead at the scene.

40-year-old Heriberto Santos Gonzalez, of Gaithersburg, was driving the Honda. He and two men with him were taken to a hospital with serious injuries.

Police are investigating how Vasquez came in possession of the car.

The crash investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call the Montgomery County Police Department’s Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620.

If you would like to donate to the victims of the accident on Muddy Branch Road, please click the GoFundMe links down below.

Heriberto, Jose and Atul – https://www.gofundme.com/f/victims-of-muddy-branch-accident-need-your-help

Stephanie Vasquez – https://www.gofundme.com/f/24tq30kwo0?sharetype

Jonathan Charkas – https://www.gofundme.com/f/unfortunate-accident-of-jonathan-charkas