Driver Going 115 MPH in River Road Crash Sentenced for 3 Deaths

BETHESDA, MD — A speeding Potomac driver who crashed into a Bethesda family on River Road near Walt Whitman High School – killing three family members on their way to a high school play – will spend 12 years in prison for manslaughter, a judge ruled Friday.

Three members of the De Macedo family died in a February 2016 crash at the intersection of River Road and Braeburn Parkway. The victims are Michael Buarque De Macedo, 52; his wife, Alessandra M. Buarque De Macedo, 53; and their son, Thomas Michael Buarque De Macedo, 18, a Whitman senior.

Their daughter, Helena Buarque De Macedo, 15 at the time, was seriously injured in the accident, but has returned to school.

According to police, a BMW traveling west on River Road driven by Ogulcan Atakoglu, 21, of Potomac, struck the De Macedo family’s Chevrolet Volt as it attempted to turn left onto Pyle Road. Otakoglu was driving 30 mph over the speed limit at the time of the crash. He was traveling at 75 mph at that point, but had earlier been speeding at 115 mph on the road, Montgomery County Police said.

Atakoglu pleaded guilty in August to three counts of manslaughter by vehicle, according to court documents, WTOP reports.

The three counts carry a maximum 30-year prison sentence, but guidelines range from three months to 12 years.

Atakoglu’s attorney, David Felsen had sought a term of 18 months or less, saying his client had accepted responsibility for the crash.

“This was a much harsher sentence than we had argued for,” Felsen told The Washington Post. “Ogulcan remains deeply remorseful.”

A meeting held in June to give feedback on the four State Highway Administration concepts aimed at improving the safety of the River Road and Braeburn Parkway intersection drew dozens of residents.
The concepts were designed to regulate the left-hand turn from River Road onto Braeburn Parkway.

The proposed plans included:

• Extending the River Rd. median to “close” the intersection.
• Installing a T-shaped island (a “Maryland T”) median strip.
• Installing a S-shaped island median strip.
• Creating a positive offset left turn lane.

Residents overwhelmingly rejected the proposed SHA’s plans at the June meeting and said a traffic signal is needed at the site, reports Montgomery Community Media.

In August the state said it would install flashing lights to warn of drivers turning at the intersection.

Many of the residents said the state’s designs are too cautious, and urged authorities to install a traffic light, but SHA officials have said that traffic studies show the intersection doesn’t meet standards to install one.
A straw vote of residents recommended moving the intersection to Pyle Road and adding a traffic light.

“A traffic signal at a new intersection of Pyle Road and River would protect the existing crosswalk and the pedestrians as well as the car traffic. We could then close the Braeburn intersection and that would address the problem,” said Richard Boltuck, with the Bannockburn Civic Association.

A petition started by a Walt Whitman student calling for traffic signals at the site of the crash has garnered more than 4,200 signatures so far.

Melody Lee created a petition on Change.org two days after the fatal wreck, demanding the Maryland State Highway Administration install traffic signals at the intersection of River Road and Pyle Road.

“This has not been the first fatal collision at this intersection. For years, the Bannockburn and Whitman communities have asked the Maryland State Highway Administration to install traffic signals at this dangerous intersection,” Lee said in her petition. “Many students must cross or turn into this intersection in order to enter Walt Whitman High School's parking lots. Installing traffic signals would make the intersection safer for nearby residents, students, teachers, and drivers alike.”
»Photo of intersection from Change.org petition