Teens Attended Underage Drinking Party Before Deadly Crash: Police

Montgomery County Police say a teenage driver seriously injured in a North Potomac crash that killed two other young adults, and his passengers, had all attended an underage drinking party before the wreck.

The foursome left the party just before midnight in a 2006 Acura TSX and were westbound in the 13800 block of Dufief Mill Road when the car left the road, struck several objects and came to a stop in the front yard of a residence.

Police said they are investigating whether speed, alcohol use and a lack of seatbelt use were factors in Thursday night’s deadly crash.

Two rear-seat passengers were declared dead at the scene. They have been identified by police as Alexander Murk, 18, of Potomac and Calvin Jia-Xing Li, 18, of Rockville.

Authorities say Samuel Joseph Ellis, 18, of North Potomac was the Acura’s driver. Ellis was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The front seat passenger is not being identified because of the ongoing investigation, police say. That victim was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

This collision remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620. Callers may remain anonymous.