Driver Killed in Crash Stopped Car on Interstate: Police

ROCKVILLE, MD — Authorities say a driver killed in an interstate crash early Thursday morning in Rockville stopped his car on the interstate because of a flat tire, and was hit by another vehicle.

Troopers from the Maryland State Police Barrack in Rockville were called to the fatal crash on northbound Interstate 270, north of Clarksburg Road (MD RT 124) about 2:30 a.m.

The collision involved a 2008 Toyota Yaris and a 2011 Honda Accord. First responders to the scene treated the driver of the Honda Accord, who was taken to Shady Grove Hospital.

The driver of the Toyota Yaris -- Norman D. Bennett, 79, of the 19000 block of Clubhouse Road in Montgomery Village -- was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Investigators say Bennett had stopped his car in lane 2 of northbound Interstate 270 near MD RT 124 (Clarksburg Road) because of a flat tire. Bennett failed to pull to the shoulder, State Police said, but instead stopped in the roadway.

As a result, the Honda Accord, being driven by Samantha J. Sterling, 33, of the 5000 block of Ashburn Terrace in Frederick, struck the rear of Bennett’s vehicle.

He was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash, and alcohol is not believed to be a factor, police said.

The interstate was closed for about two hours by the crash. Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call the Maryland State Police Rockville Barracks at 301-424-2101.