Update (2:46 p.m.): Montgomery County police have identified the victim of the collision as Nicole Marie Polen, 15, of the 19900 block of Burchap Place in Montgomery Village. Nicole will be a junior at at the start of the school year on Monday, police said.
Polen was accompanied by a 16-year-old friend, who was not injured, police said.
The driver of the vehicle was William Earle Maselas, 30, of the 4200 block of Charley Forest Street in Olney, police said. Maselas did not have any injuries and remained at the scene with witnesses to speak with police.
Police confirmed that although Polen and her friend were in a crosswalk, they attempted to cross the intersection of Route 124 and Airpark Road against the pedestrian signal.
The circumstances surrounding this collision remain under investigation and police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision and have not already talked to investigators to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 301-840-2435.
Update (1:48 p.m.): The 15-year-old victim and her teenage friend were crossing the intersection of Route 124 and Airpark Road in Gaithersburg in the crosswalk at a time they were not supposed to be crossing when the victim was struck by a vehicle, NBC Washington reported.
The victim was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident and was thrown from her bicycle, according to the report. The victim's friend, who was also riding a bicycle, managed to cross the road safely.
The driver of the vehicle that struck the 15-year-old girl remained at the scene.
Watch the full report on NBC Washington.
Original Post (8:56 a.m.): A 15-year-old girl suffered serious, life-threatening injuries in a collision at the intersection of Route 124 (Woodfield Road) and Airpark Road in Gaithersburg early Thursday, Montgomery County police tweeted.
The girl, who was riding her bicycle, was struck just before 7 a.m. and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, police spokesperson officer Rebecca Innocenti told Patch.
Southband lanes on Route 124 were closed as of 8:40 a.m. while MCPD's Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the incident, Innocenti said. It was unclear if the girl was crossing the intersection or riding her bike with the flow of traffic, she added.
Editor's Note: This article was corrected at 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 27 to correctly reflect Polen's grade at Gaithersburg High School. Montgomery County Police initially reported Polen would be a sophomore in 2012.
How cruel to leave nasty comments. This is a teenager, someone's daughter, a sister, and friend. Before leaving a nasty comment that her family and friends could see, think of this quote, "In what you say of another, apply the test of kindness, necessity and truth, and let nothing pass your lips without a 2/3 majority. ~Liz Armbruster~". You may believe that what you say is true--and, of course, who is to say what's true to you?--however why actually post it if it's not kind and/or necessary. Teenagers do not have the judgment of adults--well, I've seen many adults do risky things, too, so perhaps I should say that teenagers don't necessarily have the best judgment--they tend to believe they are invincible. I'm sure that most adults can look back and realize that we took part in risky behavior as teens/young adults and can be grateful we survived. "There but for the grace of God go I".....
How is Nicole progressing? I'd love to hear an update. I think of her often and hope she's doing well.
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