Erratic Driver Fatally Shot By Sheriff's Deputy, Officials Say

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A Montgomery County sheriff's deputy fatally shot an erratic driver on Saturday after the man caused multiple car crashes and attacked the deputy with a piece of wood, authorities said.

The motorist has been identified as Kevin Costlow, 52, of Laytonsville. The deputy's name has not yet been released.

Authorities said they began receiving multiple calls around 8 a.m. about a Volkswagen sedan that had struck multiple vehicles on Olney Laytonsville Road, or Md. 108. Callers described Costlow as "driving and acting erratically," according to police.

Montgomery County Sheriff Darren Popkin said one driver swerved to avoid Costlow but crashed into a telephone pole. Costlow then crashed head-on into a second vehicle and tried attacking the people inside with a large piece of wood, he added.

A sheriff's deputy, who happened to be in the area, arrived after the second collision, according to Popkin.

Police said Costlow then turned on the deputy and struck him "with a long piece of wood in the area of the head and neck."

The deputy then shot Costlow. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said the deputy may have used his taser, but it is unclear whether it activated. The deputy was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Montgomery County police are investigating Saturday's deputy-involved shooting. Once that investigation is over, evidence will be turned over to the Howard County State's Attorney's Office for review.

A long-standing agreement between the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office and the Howard County State's Attorney's Office says that when an officer-involved death occurs in one county, the other will review the event.