Drunk Driver Gets 8 Years In Prison For Killing Couple Heading To Vote

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A Gaithersburg man was sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of crashing into and killing a married couple while driving drunk in November 2022.

A Montgomery County Circuit Court judge sentenced Davinder Singh, 58, to 10 years in prison, with all but eight years suspended, and five years of supervised probation upon release. The judge also imposed $2,000 in fines against Singh.

After a bench trial on July 31, 2023, Singh was found guilty of homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, driving while under the influence of alcohol, and other related charges.

The deadly crash occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, on School Drive in Gaithersburg, causing the deaths of 65-year-old Miguel Antonio Ortiz and 70-year-old Ana Margarita Ortiz. The married couple from Gaithersburg were holding hands, crossing the street to vote at an elementary school polling place when they were struck and killed by Singh, according to evidence.

“The loss of Miguel and Ana Ortiz left a devastating void for their four adult children and multiple grandchildren,” Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said in a statement. “This case centers around public safety and we thank the judge for imposing a lengthy sentence.”