Pedestrian Killed in Silver Spring

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294   240-773-5030
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 25, 2008	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

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Pedestrian Killed in Silver Spring

Investigators from the Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) are continuing to investigate a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred last night in Silver Spring.

On Thursday, January 24 at approximately 7:26 p.m., a pedestrian was attempting to cross southbound New Hampshire Avenue at Northampton Drive, when he was struck by a 1999 Volkswagon Passat driven by Sean O’Neill, age 50, of the 700 block of Sligo Creek Parkway in Takoma Park. O’Neill remained at the scene.

The pedestrian, William Estvardo Chacono-Vargas, age 19, of the 1800 block of Mt. Pisgah Lane in Silver Spring, was crossing from the grassy median separating New Hampshire Avenue. He was not in a crosswalk. Chacono-Vargas was transported to Washington Hospital Center’s MedStar Trauma Unit where he was pronounced dead from his injuries.

Anyone who witnessed this collision and has not already spoken with CRU detectives is asked to call investigators at 301-840-2435.

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294   240-773-5030
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 25, 2008	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Pedestrian Killed in Silver Spring

See the 2008 Pedestrian Incident Map

Investigators from the Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit are investigating a fatal collision involving a pedestrian in Silver Spring last night. At 7:26 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2008, a pedestrian was attempting to cross New Hampshire Avenue at Northampton Drive. There is no crosswalk at that location and New Hampshire Avenue is separated by a grassy median. The pedestrian, (only identified as a 19 year old Latino male), was struck by a vehicle heading Southbound on New Hampshire Avenue. The driver of the striking vehicle remained on the scene, as did a witness. The pedestrian was transported as a priority trauma to a local hospital. Unfortunately, the pedestrian succumbed to his injuries. Identification of the pedestrian is pending notification of his family.

Investigators will determine the cause of the collision and any contributing circumstances, including illumination. Alcohol, at this time, does not appear to be a factor.

New Hampshire Avenue at Northampton Drive in Silver Spring