Fatal Accident Investigation Underway (Photos)

UPDATED Montgomery County police are now investigating the car accident that occurred shortly before 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 17 at the intersection of Crabbs Branch Way and Indianola Drive in Rockville as a fatal collision.

According to a police summary, the investigation indicates that a 2008 blue Freightliner truck was traveling northbound in the left lane of Crabbs Branch Way and a 1997 gold Ford Taurus was traveling northbound in the right lane of Crabbs Branch Way. For reasons still under investigation, police said, the Ford Taurus turned in front of and was struck by the Freightliner at the intersection of Crabbs Branch Way and Indianola Drive.

Police said the driver and the passenger in the Ford Taurus were trapped inside of the vehicle and suffered serious injuries. Both were transported to Suburban Hospital, the driver with life-threatening injuries.

Police have identified the driver of the Taurus as Valery Alexander Portnoi, age 74, of the 3100 block of N Street in Northwest, Washington, D.C. Police said Portnoi passed away on Dec. 20.

Police identified the passenger as Atalia Portnoi, age 72, of the same address. Portnoi remains in critical condition, police said.

According to police, the driver and the passenger in the Freightliner were uninjured. The Freightliner is registered to the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control, police said.

The driver has been identified as Benito Gonzalez, age 65, of the 1500 block of December Drive in Silver Spring. The passenger has been identified as Allan Lule, age 28, of the 5400 block of Madison Way in Hyattsville.

Police said the circumstances of this collision remain under investigation. Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240.773.6620. Callers may remain anonymous.

## ORIGINAL POST
Montgomery County police are investigating a car accident with serious injuries that occurred on Crabbs Branch Way in Derwood at 11:29 a.m. on Dec. 17.

Police closed Crabbs Branch Way between Redland Road and Indianola Drive in both directions during the investigation.

No other information has been released at this time.

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