Gaithersburg Man Fatally Hit By SUV In Montgomery Village: Police

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A 62-year-old man was killed after getting hit by an SUV in Montgomery Village on Wednesday night, according to authorities.

Montgomery County police identified the pedestrian as Adonias Gomez of Gaithersburg.

Shortly after 7 p.m., authorities responded to the intersection of Midcounty Highway and Pier Point Place for a report of a serious collision involving a pedestrian.

According to officials, a 2014 Acura MDX was heading south on Midcounty Highway when it struck Gomez as he was trying to cross the street. The 62-year-old man was taken to a local hospital where he later died.

The driver of the Acura — identified as 44-year-old Joergen Jacala Noveras of Gaithersburg — and his passenger were not injured in the collision, police said.

Wednesday's fatal collision is under investigation. Anyone with additional information should call the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620.

Gomez's death marks the fourth pedestrian killed in Montgomery County this year — and comes less than a week after the county council held a Vision Zero town hall.

On Sunday, more than 100 residents gathered to voice concerns and learn about pedestrian and bicycle safety at the town hall with lawmakers and transportation officials.

The Vision Zero town hall at Wheaton High School allowed people to question local and state officials about the county's Vision Zero plan — which aims to reduce severe and fatal traffic collisions by 2030.

During the event, Councilmember Hans Riemer said the county has a long way to go and cannot succeed without making safety the number one priority.

"I have to say, we've got a long ways to go. We need to make safety the first priority when we consider transportation, engineering decisions, enforcement decisions. And it's not. We talk about safety — it's a factor. But it really doesn't come first," Riemer said. "That's the general issue we need to change."

SEE ALSO:

• Close Calls, Reform Ideas Shared At MoCo Road Safety Forum
  
• Elrich's New Vision Zero Coordinator To Tackle Traffic Safety
  
• New Pedestrian Safety Crosswalk System Activated In Bethesda