One Dead, One Critical After Hit and Run Accident

Update, 3:07 p.m.: Demetrio Gomez Sanchez, one of two people struck by a car in a hit-and-run incident on Monday in Wheaton is now listed in fair condition at Suburban Hospital, a hospital spokeswoman said. Sanchez, 43, of Rockville, had been in critical condition immediately after the incident in which his wife, Maria De la Paz, 39, was killed.

Update, May 26: The female victim has been identified by police as Maria de la Paz, 39, of the 4800 block of Ertter Road in Rockville. Her husband, Demetrio Gomez Sanchez, 43, remains in critical condition at Suburban Hospital. 

Original story, May 24: A woman died and a man is in critical condition after a white BMW struck them and then fled the scene on Veirs Mill Road near Centerhill Street Monday night at 9:42 p.m., Montgomery County Police said. 

MCPD's preliminary investigation found a man in his mid-forties and a woman in her mid-thirties, were exiting a bus near the intersection when they were struck.

The driver of the vehicle initially stopped, then fled the scene, police said. 

Both pedestrians were taken to a Suburban Hospital. The victims were husband and wife, but their identities are not being released until next of kin are notified.

The driver, Pierre Michel, 29, of the 2700 block of University Boulevard West in Silver Spring and the passenger, Christopher Forker, and 29, of the 3200 block of Limekiln Road in Sharpsburg were not injured in the collision, police said.

Fourth District Officers found the white BMW in a nearby neighborhood. The driver and the passenger were located at two separate locations not far from the scene, but not at the vehicle. 

Anyone who has information about this fatal pedestrian collision is asked to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 301-840-2435.  Callers may remain anonymous.