Teens Attended Underage Drinking Party Before Deadly Crash, Police Say (Updated)

UPDATED at 1:15 p.m.

Montgomery County Police say a teenage driver seriously injured in a North Potomac crash that killed two other young adults 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.