ROCKVILLE, Md. — A multi-vehicle crash on I-495 Wednesday morning resulted in the death of a Silver Spring woman. Authorities believe excessive speed by a tow truck caused the collision.
Maryland State Police responded to the scene around 11:30 a.m. on the outer loop of I-495, just west of Old Georgetown Road. According to investigators, all five vehicles involved were traveling on the Beltway when the tow truck rear-ended a Honda Civic driven by 77-year-old Diane Karras. The impact caused the truck to briefly leave the roadway, then return and hit a Ford Ranger, which subsequently collided with a Chevrolet Traverse, which then struck a Dodge Grand Caravan.
Both Karras and the driver of the Ford Ranger were transported to Suburban Hospital, where Karras later succumbed to her injuries.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team is handling the investigation. Potential charges are under review with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office. The investigation is ongoing.
The crash resulted in a three-hour road closure, police said.
