Walt Whitman High School Hosts Candlelight Vigil, Roadside Memorial Grows (PHOTOS)

candlelight-vigil 450x280The principal of Walt Whitman High School, Alan Goodwin, said there would be a candlelight vigil at the school on Sunday night following a fatal car crash that occurred on River Road on Feb. 27.

Michael Buarque De Macedo, his wife, Allessandra, and his son, Thomas, were killed in the Saturday night crash, according to police. Helena Buarque De Macedo, sister of Thomas, remains hospitalized.

Goodwin said the vigil would be to share sorrow, and “hope for Helena.”

On Sunday afternoon, many Bethesda residents left flowers at the site of the horrific crash.

County Councilmember Roger Berliner posted on his Facebook page that he would be asking the State Highway Administration for a traffic light at the intersection where the crash occurred.

“Many have asked why the county hasn’t put a traffic light at that intersection,” Berliner said. “I wish we could. But it is a state road and only the State Highway Administration (SHA) can do that. And I will be asking them to do so before tragedy strikes again.”

As the father of two Whitman graduates, I have made that left turn off River Rd onto Pyle many many times. And way too…

Posted by Roger Berliner on Sunday, February 28, 2016

Along Dangerous Bethesda Roadway, Safety Improvement Project Begins

Accident scene on River Road 2_27_16

Work has begun on the long anticipated roadway improvement project along River Road in Bethesda. The $1.9 million project, which aims to improve safety between Braeburn Parkway and Pyle Road, is expected to be completed by spring 2021. For years, residents and councilmembers alike have voiced concerns about the deadly intersection, which in 2016 was […]

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Bethesda Man Dies in Motorcycle Collision Thursday

feature police-car-lights-in-night-time-crime-scene-night-patrolling-the-city-picture-id943697000

Police are investigating a fatal collision involving a motorcycle that occurred Thursday evening in Bethesda. According to a statement from Montgomery County Police Department, Bethesda district police officers and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel were dispatched to River Road (MD 190) at Burdette Road at 10:08 p.m. responding to reports of a collision between […]

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Police Investigate Fatal Crash in Poolesville Area

featured image - fatal seneca crash poolesville

Montgomery County Police Department tweeted that they are investigating a fatal vehicle collision that occurred in the Poolesville area on Wednesday afternoon. MCPD investigating fatal vehicle collision on River Road @ Old River Road. River Rd closed between Esworthy Rd and Seneca Rd for collision investigation. — Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) July 3, […]

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Community Grieves Loss of Family After Fatal Car Accident in Bethesda (VIDEO)

River Road Crash

The Walt Whitman High School community is grieving the loss of 18-year-old senior Thomas Buarque De Macedo and praying for his sister Helena Buarque De Macedo, who remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Thomas and Helena were riding in a car along with their parents, Michael and Allessandra Buarque De Macedo when they were […]

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County Council, Leggett, Van Hollen, State Lawmakers Ask for Review of Safety Issues at River Road and Pyle Road in Bethesda

fatalcarcrash

The Montgomery County Council, County Executive Ike Leggett, Congressman Chris Van Hollen and four members of the Maryland General Assembly today sent a letter to the administrator of the Maryland State Highway Administration asking for a review of safety issues at the intersection of River Road and Pyle Road in Bethesda. The intersection was the […]

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Rep. Chris Van Hollen Says Changes Must be Made at River Road Intersection

Chris Van Hollen

U.S. Representative Chris Van Hollen is calling for safety improvements at the River Road and Pyle Road intersection where three people were killed in a collision on Saturday night. On his Twitter account, Van Hollen sent his condolences to the family and,  he said, “changes must be made to the dangerous River Road intersection.” On […]

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Investigation Into Fatal River Road Collision Could Take Weeks to Complete (VIDEO)

Paul Starks

A fatal car crash killed three members of the Buarque De Macedo family on Saturday night in Bethesda. Michael Buarque De Macedo, his wife, Allessandra, and their son, Thomas, died at scene while a fourth passenger, Helena Buarque De Macedo remains hospitalized. Police are currently investigating the cause of the fatal collision. In this MyMCMedia […]

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Walt Whitman High School Community Wants Red Light at River and Pyle Road (VIDEO)

Alan Goodwin

The Walt Whitman High School community is mourning the loss of three family members who died in a car accident on Saturday night in Bethesda. Michael Buarque De Macedo, his wife, Allessandra, and his son, Thomas, were killed in the crash, according to police. Helena Buarque De Macedo, sister of Thomas, remains hospitalized. Thomas was […]

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Berliner Stresses Need for Traffic Safety Improvements at Pyle Road and River Road (VIDEO)

Flowers at Intersection of River Road and Pyle Road Bethesda Fatal Accident Scene 4 pm 2_18_16 v3

Montgomery County Council Vice President Roger Berliner said the Council will be asking state officials for safety improvements at River Road and Pyle Road following a fatal collision near Walt Whitman High School on Saturday night. Find out more in this MyMCMedia Extra video: So far, over 3,000 people have signed a local change.org petition […]

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SHA Officials Says Premature to Discuss Fatal River Road Collision

Close in photo Flowers at Intersection of River Road and Pyle Road Bethesda Fatal Accident Scene 4 pm 2_18_16 v3

The State Highway Administration is not ready to comment on a fatal collision that took place Saturday night in Bethesda. The fatal collision occurred shortly before 7 p.m. at the intersection of River Road and Pyle Road on Saturday night. Michael Buarque De Macedo (53), his wife, Allessandra (53), and his son, Thomas (18), were killed […]

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Comments

2 Responses to “Walt Whitman High School Hosts Candlelight Vigil, Roadside Memorial Grows (PHOTOS)”

  1. On February 28, 2016 at 9:47 pm responded with... #

    I am a sixteen year old Bethesda student and Helena and I have many mutual friends. She lost her family so we all have to be her family now. I have started a fundraising campaign to help with her recovery. Please donate and share on social media. https://www.youcaring.com/helena-buarque-de-macedo-530070 Thanks, Kelsie Kimberlin

    • On March 1, 2016 at 6:28 pm responded with... #

      To All: Please note that the organizer of the “fundraising campaign” at youcaring.com has not been authorized by Helena’s family to be collecting money or messages in her or her family’s name.

      Helena’s family respectfully requests that, in lieu of flowers or any other donations, any giving please be directed to support Helena, in loving memory of her parents and brother, to a scholarship fund established by her family for this purpose: the “Buarque de Macedo STEM Scholarship” fund at The Catholic University of America, Division of University Advancement, 620 Michigan Ave NE, Aquinas Hall 106, Washington, DC 20064 (available online at: http://giving.cuatoday.com by clicking: “Make a Gift”/”Giving”; “Specific areas of support”; “Other Designation(s)”; and typing in “Buarque de Macedo STEM Scholarship”). Any inquiries about the fund may be directed to the CUA Advancement Office at: (202) 319-6910/giving2cua@cua.com.

      To leave online messages to support Helena, in loving memory of her parents and brother, please visit: http://www.legacy.com/…/DignityMemorial/guestbook.aspx…

      With sincere thanks and appreciation for your understanding,

      Helena’s Uncle Charley

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