Beltway Crash: Car Slams Into Bridge, Driver Dies

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BETHESDA, MD — Police suspect that a driver who died in a Bethesda crash on the Beltway was driving while drunk.

Maryland State Police say that Jose Leonel Bonilla Torres, 23, of Herndon, VA, died in the single-car crash. Troopers from the Rockville Barrack responded to the collision about 2:46 a.m. Sunday on the outer loop of I-495 at Connecticut Avenue.

Troopers say Torres was thrown from the car and pronounced dead at the scene. There were no passengers in the vehicle.

Investigators say a Scion TC driven by Torres was attempting to exit from the outer loop at Connecticut Avenue. The vehicle traveled off the ramp and struck a bridge abutment, sending it airborne to the roadway below. Torres’ car landed on Kensington Parkway, where he was ejected, causing fatal injuries.

State Police say alcohol is believed to be a factor in the collision.