UPDATED: One Dead In Kentlands Area Car Crash
A woman was killed Sunday evening in a car crash on Great Seneca Highway at Lakelands Drive in the Kentlands area of Gaithersburg, according to Montgomery County police.
Update: (11:28 a.m.): Montgomery County police have identified 69-year-old Elizabeth Colvin Colton, of the 200 block of Hart Road in Gaithersburg, as the woman killed in a two-car collision Sunday evening in the Kentlands area.
Colton was a passenger in a 1999 black Lexus LS 400 driven by 77-year-old Seymour Baden, of the same address, police said. Baden remains in critical condition.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that Baden was traveling north on Great Seneca Highway and attempted to make a left turn onto Lakelands Drive when his vehicle was struck by a 2003 Toyota Highlander traveling south on Great Seneca. The two vehicles collided in the intersection, police said.
The driver of the Toyota has been identified as Rachel Leah Weintraub, 21, of the 13600 block of Anchor Cove Court in Rockville. Police also identified her passenger in the Toyota as George Dancer, 25, of the 14100 block of Marianne Drive in Rockville.
Both Weintraub and Dancer were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Original Post (6 a.m.): An adult female was killed Sunday evening in a two-vehicle collision on Great Seneca Highway at Lakelands Drive in the Kentlands area of Gaithersburg, according to Montgomery County police.
Three other people were sent to a local hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the crash, ABC 7 reported.
Montgomery County Police Department's Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating the crash, which occurred at approximately 7:49 p.m., police said. Southbound Great Seneca Highway was closed between Lakelands Drive and Kentlands Boulevard while CRU detectives completed their investigation.
Montgomery Fire Chief Scott Graham said "an extensive extrication" was required, ABC 7 reported.
Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 301-840-2435.
Leslie Stewart
7:10 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
OK. This makes one per week. Isn't it time to do something about the speed limit on Great Seneca Highway??
Jerry
8:10 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
To the contrary, in many years of driving on Great Seneca Highway in the vicinity of that intersection, the problem is not excessive speed, but slower vehicles obstructing traffic. They linger in the left lane at 30 mph when the speed limit is 50. and they slow to almost a crawl prior to making a left turn without bothering to signal. This is true even outside of rush hour.
William Brush
8:42 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
I didn't witness the accident but I was at the scene. First responders took WAY TOO LONG to get the lady out of the car after it was pointed out that she was the one that was the worst off. They actually rescued the man who was responsive before the unresponsive female. If this had been a relative of mine, I'd be really upset the quality of responsiveness. The responders got there very quickly but didn't try to help the lady out as quickly and effectively as they could of (I believe). Very sad.
kim chase
8:50 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
Do you think they may have already determined she was deceased? I am just asking because it would be awful to hear that your assessment was true. It is very scary to see something like that happen so close to my home. It could very definitely be someone I know.
Joe Thomas
10:55 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
This coming from someone who probably has zero fire/rescue experience. Do you really think that they left a seriously injured person to tend to someone who was not seriously injured? Chances are that the woman was already dead.
Go back to your couch.
William Brush
9:18 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
I'm not qualified to make that judgement, but in the five minutes of time from when the accident had just occurred to assessing the lady, 5 minutes of time seems a little on the short side to pronounce someone. I'm speaking about this because had it been me that was in the accident and I was concious I would have said forget about me and help my wife!!! Shook me up.
kim chase
9:48 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
I am so sorry that you had to witness that. I just feel so awful about it. I live right off of Lakelands drive and it it has me shaken and i didnt even see it. Again I am sorry that you have that memory.
William Brush
10:35 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
Thanks. No one ever wants to witness this sort of thing, and I agree with the first comment submission that maybe it's realistic to consider speed cameras ontop of reducing the speed limit in this busy area. Trust me, no one wants to have to go through a situation like this where you have to be a good semaritan if could be avoided.
Bill Redmond
11:54 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
What is the speed limit there, 45? 50? That really isn't out of line for that road but the average speed is probably at least 55-60. Enforcement should be tried before changing the limit.
What were the specifics, traffic entering at an intersection or traffic slowing at an intersection to make a right turn, excessive speed, a car traveling significantly slower than "the pack," any alcohol, etc.?
Greg Cohen
12:20 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
I do believe the speed limit is 50. No other specifics about the crash have been made available to this point.
Leslie Stewart
2:54 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Bill, the speed limit is 50 but, as you said, the average speed is a great deal higher than that. I don't know the particulars in the 2 motorcycle deaths last month & this month (no cars involved) but I live off Great Seneca and I hear the motorcycles zooming by like they're on a racetrack.
You're certainly correct about enforcement being tried (camera, patrol cars) being tried. Wouldn't you think they'd be on that already?
The left turns across Great Seneca are treacherous. I have to make one every time I leave my complex at High Gables Drive where there is no traffic light. We've got the northbound traffic from Key West, Sam Eig & Muddy Branch, and the southbound traffic from Quince Orchard, Kentlands & Lakelands. We have no choice since there is only one entrance/exit from our complex. It's scary.
William Brush
12:38 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
An issue to consider is that Grt Seneca is 3 or 4 lanes upstream and after crossing over Muddy Branch it reduces to 2 lanes. I've seen people zooming by me on more than one occasion. Something to think about maybe since this area is so densely populated.
Mark
1:04 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
I would like to see the authorities consider restricting left turns onto Lakelands Drive with a green arrow only (while southbound has a red). It is difficult to judge the speed of oncoming traffic and too many risky turns occur at that intersection.
Family Friend
4:52 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
This is a terrible tragedy. I still can't comprehend that Beth is gone. Those who knew Beth loved her deeply. She was one of the kindest and most compassionate individuals I have ever known. She was very devoted to her family and friends. Unfortunately, the comments from witnesses, no matter how well intentioned, just add to the pain for those of us who knew her. Please put your energy into petitioning for safety improvements and helping the police with their investigation, rather than posting here.
Joe Thomas
10:58 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
So this was a failure to yield right of way wreck. The older man attempted to cross two lanes of traffic and failed to yield to the car with the right of way. Not too hard to figure out.
kim chase
7:11 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Joe The word you need to learn is compassion. Compassion for the family friend who asked that we stop posting replies about the accident which you just did. compassion for the person who witnessed the accident and Is clearly shaken by the experience. Compassion is being shown by all the people who do not want too see anyone else hurt and believe there is a way to prevent it and would like to bring attention to that! Instead you mock them all with your arrogant responses. Joe, Please learn some compassion you will be a better person for it!
Joe Thomas
12:39 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
If they were so troubled why are THEY posting?
Leslie Stewart
8:17 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
"Fault" in this particular case is secondary. IF there were a green left turn arrow at that light people might not "linger". IF people used turn signals, yes, there would be fewer accidents, but hardly ANYONE in this area does. I find it frustrating when I'm driving anywhere in the metropolitan area because few people signal lane changes and few use the turn signals when they are preparing to turn! I could rant about what sex is most at fault and what types of vehicles they are driving, but then it would start a whole other bunch of comments. The point here is that someone is dead, and she is not the first in this area in the past couple of months. The other point is that something can be done to help prevent more deaths in the future! We need cooperation from the DOT, local police and local government!!
Leslie Stewart
10:15 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
I have prepared and posted the following petition. We would appreciate signatures and feedback. Thank you.Subject: Monitor traffic & lower speed on Great Seneca Highway
Hi,
There have been several traffic deaths on Great Seneca Highway in Gaithersburg between Muddy Branch Road and Longdraft Road in the last couple of months. I believe that speed cameras are necessary as well as patrol cars, in addition to a traffic light at High Gables Drive (with a left turn arrow) and a left turn arrow added to the light at Kentlands Blvd.
That's why I created a petition to The Maryland State House, The Maryland State Senate, and Governor Martin O'Malley, which says:
"Please install speed cameras along Great Seneca Highway between Key West Ave and Longdraft Road in Gaithersburg. Also please monitor the traffic and the speed for the next several months, add a traffic light (BEFORE THERE IS A DEATH!) at High Gables Drive, and a left turn signal at Lakelands Blvd."
Will you sign this petition? Click here:
http://signon.org/sign/monitor-traffic-lower?source=c.em.cp&r_by=4786824
Thanks!
Greg Cohen
11:57 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
I've spoken with Gaithersburg police on this issue and any changes to speed limits and traffic light patterns are made by the State Highway Administration. Apparently they recently completed a study of the Great Seneca Corridor and I'm working to get that information.
Joe Thomas
12:42 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
None of the fatal wrecks has involved speed. The m/c fatal at Longdraft and Great Seneca involved failure to yield the right of way.
The fatal at Lakelands Blvd was also a failure to yield.
The m/c fatal three weeks ago was a motorcyclist losing control and hitting a curb.
Speed cameras would have no effect on any of these fatal wrecks.
Bruce Goldensohn
11:28 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Suggest your petition be directed at Montgomery County for the addition of speed cameras and additional Patrol cars - the State does not do that on Great Seneca Highway. The best relief from accidents is for people to drive with courtesy and by obeying the existing traffic laws. How to get that is the real problem - and maybe more enforcement is the answer.
Dan
7:16 am on Saturday, September 29, 2012
Gee, I wonder if one of the drivers' was texting and fiddling with an itouch. These electronics are the unsafest thing to happen to driving ever. Speed is usually not the issue, but rather not paying attention to driving. We need the auto manufacturers to add a disabling device for the driver so no texts can be sent or received!
jnrentz1
3:00 am on Sunday, September 30, 2012
No. We do not need another device added to an automobile. What is needed is for people to take total responsibility while driving. People need to pay full time and attention to their driving. Speed cameras and patrol cars would not have prevented this crash.
Sharon
10:57 am on Sunday, September 30, 2012
Be prepared for absurdity, folks, where SHA raises the speed limit on Great Seneca Highway to 'accommodate' the speeders! That is what they did when there was (and still is) concern regarding excessive speeding on MidCounty btw Montgomery Village Avenue & Shady Grove Road. I was told by police (when speed limit was 45 mph) that there was a 'grace limit' where cars and notorious racing motorcyles could not be ticketed up to 50 mph. So what did SHA do but raise the 'stakes'. Now set @ 50 mph, guess speeders feel obliged (& entitled) to take advantage by going 55 mph. Oh, the logic of SHA???? Hell, with that insane logic, why not raise the limit to 80 mph and let the chips (and innocent bodies) fall where they may! Hummm!
Sharon
1:07 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012
According to the Town Courier today:
The Town Courier
Two drunk driving incidents occurred in Kentlands just after 5 a.m. yesterday morning.
In the first, according to Gaithersburg Police, a driver who was under the influence of alcohol lost control of his vehicle and struck a transformer box and a brick wall behind Buca di Beppo in Kentlands, causing a power outage in sections of Kentlands and Lakelands. The second incident occurred when a driver under the influence of alcohol lost control of his vehicle on Tschiffely Square Road and drove through the grassy field by the Kentlands Clubhouse, through the iron fence of the pool, and struck numerous stone pillars.
Both 19-year-old drivers from Germantown, Md., were arrested and charged accordingly."
Leslie Stewart
1:12 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012
Thank you, Sharon.
Speed limit is only part of the problem. We need something/someone to monitor & control the traffic and the speed limit. People think that this area is an amusement park or speedway!
Annie Balcom
9:56 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
They need traffic lights with turn signals for these intersections!!! I lost my brother in the motorcycle accident mentioned above. The lady failed to yield. If there were more control in that intersection maybe my brother would still be here today. They really need to do something about this highway!
Hart & Main
12:24 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
It is terrible that there have been a few accidents in the recent past, but can we tap the brakes on requesting more monitoring and speed cameras? All the monitoring and speed cameras in the world would not seem to have prevented any of these accidents. I'd rather not live in a police state, but I guess I should have figured that out before moving to Montgomery County. What I don't understand is how people are volunteering for it!