Police Investigate Fatal Collision in Olney

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294   240-773-5030
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 18, 2008	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Police Investigate Fatal Collision in Olney

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit are investigating a fatal collision that occurred in Olney last night.

Preliminary investigation revealed that on Sunday, February 17 at approximately 9:30 p.m., a silver 2004 Nissan Quest was traveling southbound on Dr. Bird Road approaching Norwood Road. For unknown reasons, the Nissan crossed the double yellow lines in the curve near Norwood Road and went into the northbound lane. As a result of this action, the Nissan struck a gold 1997 Dodge Caravan that was traveling northbound on Dr. Bird Road.

The driver of the Nissan has been identified as Young Hee Cho, a 62 year-old male, of the 1300 block of Cavendish Drive in Silver Spring, Maryland. Cho, who had not been wearing his seatbelt, was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries and was later pronounced dead. An autopsy will be conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore.

The driver of the Dodge has been identified as Mixnor Berluche, a 63 year-old male, of the 17000 block of Shamrock Drive in Olney, Maryland. Berluche was transported to a local hospital where he was admitted with serious injuries.

Anyone who may have witnessed this crash is asked to call the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 301-840-2435. The investigation is continuing.

Dr. Bird Road Near Norwood Road in Sandy Spring[map]17237 Doctor Bird Road, Sandy Spring, MD[/map]