Damascus, MD (August 10, 2026) – A man died, and five other people were taken to the hospital after a crash involving a Ford Transit van and a Chrysler Pacifica minivan near Ridge Road and Hawkes Road Saturday morning, according to Montgomery County police. The crash happened around 7:22 a.m., August 8, near Cedar Grove Elementary School in the Damascus area.
A passenger in the Chrysler suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Ford’s driver and four people in the Chrysler, including three adults and a child, were taken to hospitals with injuries that were not severe. Dozens of first responders, including multiple fire engines and EMS units, were called to help.
Ridge Road was closed in both directions between Kings Valley Road and Hawkes Road before reopening. The department’s Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate.
Our condolences go out to the victim’s family and loved ones.
Why Do Departments Use Specialized Units for Fatal Crash Investigations?
When a crash results in a death, many departments assign a dedicated reconstruction unit rather than relying solely on the officers who first arrived; these units typically have specialized training in measuring skid marks, mapping vehicle positions, and analyzing damage to build an accurate account of what happened.
This process takes considerably longer than a routine crash report, since investigators want a precise sequence of events rather than a quick summary. Evidence from both vehicles, along with witness statements, gets cross-checked before conclusions are drawn.
A large first responder presence, as seen here, also reflects the number of people needing evaluation at once. Coordinating care for six patients while simultaneously preserving evidence for a fatal crash investigation requires careful organization among the many crews on scene.
