Man Dies After Fleeing Police, Crashing into Utility Pole

A Gaithersburg man who reportedly fled from police while driving with a suspended license has died from injuries suffered when he crashed his car into a utility pole.

The single-vehicle collision occurred on Aspen Hill Road about 9 p.m. on Nov. 15. The driver of the vehicle, Annal Upadhyaya, 21, of Federal Court in Gaithersburg, died Monday afternoon, Nov. 17.

A Montgomery County police officer saw Upadhyaya’s unoccupied 2007 Honda Civic parked in the fire lane in front of Aspen Hill Beer and Wine, 13745 Connecticut Ave. When Upadhyaya returned to his car, the officer asked for identification. The officer determined that Upadhyaya had a suspended driver’s license and requested a tow truck for the vehicle.

Police say that when the tow truck arrived, Upadhyaya asked the officer if he could first retrieve his cell phone from his vehicle. Instead, authorities say Upadhyaya got into the Honda and sped away.

The officer attempted to stop the vehicle but lost sight of it as it traveled west on Aspen Hill Road. Police found the vehicle on its side on Aspen Hill Road, just west of Marianna Drive. Upadhyaya had been thrown from the vehicle and was found unconscious on the sidewalk.

The Honda went out of control on a curve, then struck a sign pole and a utility pole before coming to rest on the driver’s side against an unoccupied, parked vehicle on the north side of Aspen Hill Road, investigators believe. Upadhyaya was thrown from the vehicle during the accident.

Anyone with information about the collision is asked to call 240.773.6620. Callers may remain anonymous.