Thambiraj Nathaniel, 79, from Beltsville, died on Sunday due to injuries sustained in a two-car collision in Silver Spring last Tuesday, according to Montgomery County Police.
MoCo360 reports that this marks the first traffic fatality reported by police in 2024. Zero Deaths Maryland, a part of the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Office, reported 44 traffic fatalities in 2023.
According to an MCPD press release, the incident occurred around 1:08 p.m. on Tuesday, when 3rd District officers and Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service personnel responded to a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Colesville Road and Timberwood Avenue.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of a gray 2016 Subaru Forester was making a left turn from southbound Colesville Road onto Timberwood Avenue, and was struck by a silver 2017 Nissan Rogue traveling northbound on Colesville Road.
The driver of the Subaru and both passengers of the Nissan sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to area hospitals. However, Nathaniel, the passenger of the Subaru, was taken to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.
The collision is currently under active investigation, and anyone with information is urged to contact Collision Reconstruction Unit detectives at (240) 773-6620.
MCPD Graphic
Detectives Investigate Colesville Road Fatal Collision; Victim's Identity Releasedhttps://t.co/IprsHLtZ6e#mcpd #mcpnews pic.twitter.com/sbTEGth6ji
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) January 29, 2024