3 Family Members Killed in Bethesda Crash: UPDATE

BETHESDA, MD - Three people were killed and at least one was seriously injured in a collision on River Road near Pyle Road in Bethesda, police said.

Authorities responded to the location around 6:58 p.m. Saturday for the report of a serious collision. According to police, a BMW traveling west on River Road driven by Ogulcan Atakoglu, 20, collided with a Chevrolet Volt traveling east just as the Volt was attempting to turn left onto Pyle Road.

The Volt was driven by Michael Buarque De Macedo, 52, of the 7000 block of Loch Lomond Drive in Bethesda.

The De Macedo family of four traveling in the Volt were all seriously injured, three of whom died from their injuries at the scene, police said. Police identified the victims as Michael Buarque De Macedo; his wife, Alessandra M. Buarque De Macedo, 53; and their son, Thomas Michael Buarque De Macedo, 18.

Their daughter, Helena Buarque De Macedo, a rear seat passenger, was taken to a local trauma center with life-threatening injuries. Police said she is believed to be a teenager.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services said in its blog that several other patients were taken to areas hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

Atakoglu was taken to a local trauma center with non-life-threatening injuries. Police did not release his hometown or say if charges are likely in the accident.

Return to Patch for updates on this breaking news story.

Image via Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services