Gaithersburg Teacher Charged With DWI In Fatal NC Crash

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A Montgomery County high school teacher faces DWI charges in connection with a fatal car crash in North Carolina. Police said Nicholas Saadipour — a teacher at Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg — was suspected of drunk driving following a collision on I-95 Thanksgiving morning.

Around 1 a.m. on Nov. 22, Saadipour lost control of his Honda Civic and hit a guardrail, according to North Carolina state police. The 35-year-old subsequently tried to get back on the roadway.

While Saadipour was reentering traffic, 59-year-old Sandy Griffin swerved around the car. Police said Griffin died after his vehicle veered off the roadway. Griffin's family members suffered minor injuries, according to police.

Saadipour was charged with reckless driving, and was cited for having an open alcoholic beverage in the passenger area and failing to maintain lane control, according to North Carolina court records.

This isn't the first time the high school teacher was cited for driving a vehicle in an unsafe manner. According to Maryland court records, Saadipour pled guilty to negligently driving a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner that endangers property, life and person. The incident occurred at 3:28 a.m. on March 12, 2016.

Nine days earlier, at 12:37 a.m., Saadipour was charged with driving under the influence per se, meaning his blood alcohol content was allegedly .08 or higher. He was also charged with negligently driving a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner that endangers property, life and person.

On Sept. 25, 2018, Saadipour was cited for failing to obey properly placed traffic control device instructions. He is set to appear in Montgomery County District Court for that offense Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 1:30 p.m.

Following the Nov. 22 incident in North Carolina, Quince Orchard High School placed Saadipour on leave. The principal, Elizabeth L. Thomas, announced the news in an email to parents and guardians. Patch obtained a copy of the email from a Montgomery County Public Schools spokesperson.

"Our thoughts are with Mr. Saadipour and all of those impacted by this tragedy," Thomas wrote. "Police have indicated Mr. Saadipour may have significant responsibility for the accident. He will be on leave while he addresses this serious matter. High quality substitutes are being identified to ensure students continue learning during his absence."

This story may be updated.

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