MD Woman Killed In Multi-Vehicle Crash; GA Man Who Drove Wrong Way On I-495 Arrested

Updated 4:45 p.m.

ROCKVILLE, MD — Elizabeth Velez, 36, of Easton, Pennsylvania was identified as the victim in Tuesday night's multi-vehicle fatal crash on the Capital Beltway, according to Maryland State Police.

Nine other people were injured after their vehicles were struck by a car traveling in the wrong direction on the outer loop of the Capital Beltway.

Troopers from MPD's Rockville Barrack received multi reports shortly before 11:45 p.m. of a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-270 near Rockledge Drive.

Investigators determined that Jayleen Hannor, 23, of Macon, Georgia was the driver of a white Mercedes CLS 450, which continued traveling in the wrong lanes from I-270 to the outer loop of I-495, according to police. The car crashed into a Lexus SUV and a Nissan Pathfinder being driven by Velez at exit 34, Route 355. Hannor continued driving, before fleeing on foot in the area of Connecticut Avenue, according to police.

Valez was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Valez's three children, ages 2, 5 and 15, were in the Nissan at the time of the collision. The 15-year-old and 36-year-old John Tejada of Pennsylvania, who was a front-seat passenger, were taken to Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center to be treated for their injuries. The two younger children were taken to Inova Hospital in Virginia.

The driver of the Lexus and four adult passengers were also injured in the crash, according to police. They were also transported to Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center for treatment.

Troopers arrested Hannor and transported him to the Rockville Barrick for processing. He was then taken to Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center, where he remains in police custody.

Hannor faces multiple charges in connection with the fatal crash, including driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to immediately return and remain at the scene of a crash involving death, according to police. Further charges may be filed after investigators consult with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office.

MSP's Crash Team is leading the investigation. Montgomery County Police and Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration assisted MSP in closing all lanes of the outer loop, which reopened around 5 a.m.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Rockville Barrack at 301-424-2101. All callers may remain anonymous.