Deadly MD Crash Involved Stolen Vehicle Driven By Child: Police

Updated at 3:23 p.m.

GERMANTOWN, MD — One person is dead and multiple children were hospitalized early Tuesday after a two-car collision in Germantown.

The crash occurred near the intersection of Clopper Road and Great Seneca Highway, and was reported by the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service around 5:30 a.m.

Montgomery County Police said one man was pronounced dead at the scene. Seven children riding in a second car that had overturned were also hospitalized.

Authorities said the children, aged between 12 and 15, suffered "varying injuries." Two were listed in critical condition.

Stolen Vehicle At Center Of Crash

The man had been driving a Toyota Matrix, whereas the second car, a stolen Kia Optima, was driven by one of the underage children.

No adult was present inside the second vehicle.

"None of them were licensed at the age of 15. No one is of age to be driving a vehicle," MCPD spokesperson Shiera Goff told 7News. "This happened at 5 a.m. Know where your children are."

Montgomery County Police said the Kia Optima was reported stolen "several hours" after the crash.

Authorities said the Kia crashed into the Toyota moments after it crossed the intersection. The underage driver, according to police, remains in critical but stable condition.

NBC Washington reported that police had received reports of a person driving erratically in the area prior to the crash. The outlet also indicated that some of the injured children were not wearing seat belts at the time.

MCFRS said dozens of first responders were deployed to the scene, including five ambulances, five medical units, four engines and three extrication units, among other officials.

Officials added that emergency crews had extinguished flames from the overturned vehicle.

An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.