Pedestrian accidents can have devastating consequences, often leaving victims with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, and lasting emotional trauma. Even worse – sometimes those accidents are fatal, leaving the family to work through legal processes, insurance adjusters, medical bills, and so much more.
Whether a collision occurs at a busy intersection in Silver Spring, a crosswalk in Bethesda, or along a neighborhood roadway, pedestrians are among the most vulnerable people on the road. In many cases, these accidents are caused by distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield, or other forms of negligence.
Regardless of the cause, these accidents are happening far too often in Montgomery County.
Detectives Investigate Fatal Hit and Run in Silver Spring
According to the Montgomery County Maryland website, the fatal hit-and-run crash happened on Friday, June 19th, and led to the death of 61-year-old Hanna Wegayehou of Silver Spring.
The website says, “At approximately 1:14 p.m., 3rd District officers and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel responded to the intersection of Crestmoor Drive and Colesville Road for the report of a collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. The investigation revealed that Wegayehou was struck by a vehicle while crossing Crestmoor Drive. The driver of the striking vehicle failed to remain at the scene. Despite life-saving efforts, Wegayehou was pronounced dead at the scene.
There is an image of the vehicle police believe to have been involved, which is “described as a black SUV with tinted windows and possible front-end or right-front damage. The vehicle was last seen at approximately 1:17 p.m., heading north on Colesville Road towards New Hampshire Avenue.”
It may seem that the chances of the driver being caught are low, but it does happen.
26-Year-Old Arrested, Charged in Fatal Collision After Leaving the Scene of the Accident
It didn’t take long for this driver to get caught.
According to the Montgomery County Maryland website, “On Thursday, June 18, Josue David Carranza Castellon, who has no fixed address, was arrested at Newark International Airport while attempting to board a flight.”
The press release explains that Castellon’s charges are related to “a collision that occurred on Wednesday, June 17, at approximately 4:47 a.m., at the intersection of Muddy Branch Road and West Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg.”
Police say the vehicle he was driving hit 56-year-old Brian Roy Longaberger, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Police located the damaged vehicle with damage to the front end and were able to piece together a case, allowing them to name Castellon as the suspect responsible for the hit-and-run.
Now that the driver has been caught, the victim’s family can work with their legal counsel – who will presumably connect with the at-fault driver’s insurance company – to get guidance and support on pursuing a fair and reasonable settlement for the loss of their loved one.
Fatal Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Montgomery County
Losing a loved one in a fatal pedestrian accident is an unimaginable tragedy, and no legal action can undo that loss. However, pursuing a wrongful death claim can provide financial security for your family, hold negligent parties accountable, and help prevent similar tragedies from happening to others.
At Lapidus Law Firm, we are committed to guiding families through this difficult time with compassion, respect, and dedicated legal advocacy. Our team will investigate the circumstances of the accident, protect your rights, and fight for the full compensation your family deserves. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal pedestrian accident in Montgomery County, contact Lapidus Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you move forward. You can reach us in Maryland at (301) 852-7500 or in Washington, DC, at (202) 785-5111.