State Police Say Charges Pending In 5-Vehicle Crash That Killed MoCo Driver

BETHESDA, MD — Charges are pending in a five-vehicle crash Wednesday on the outer loop of I-495 that killed a Montgomery County woman, according to Maryland State Police.

Authorities said Diane Karras, 77, of Silver Spring, was taken by ambulance to Suburban Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Shortly before 11:30 a.m., the crash was reported on the outer loop of I-495 west of Maryland Route 187 (Old Georgetown Road) involving four vehicles and a tow truck.

According to state police, all five vehicles were traveling on I-495 when the tow truck failed to control its speed and struck the rear of a Honda Civic, driven by Karras, before veering off the left shoulder of the highway. The tow truck then swerved back onto the interstate and struck a Ford Ranger pickup truck, causing the Ranger to strike a Chevrolet Traverse, which then led the Traverse to strike a Dodge Grand Caravan.

The driver of the Ford Ranger was also taken to Suburban Hospital by ambulance.

Personnel from the Montgomery County Police Department and Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration assisted with road closures, which lasted about three hours.

Charges are pending consultation with the Office of the State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, state police said.