18-year-old accused of causing crash that killed 88-year-old Rockville woman.
Gaithersburg, MD (JK) – Montgomery County police have charged an 18-year-old Germantown man in connection with a May collision that claimed the life of an 88-year-old Rockville woman. Investigators say Liam Donnelly Coskun surrendered to authorities on November 21 and was taken into custody on an active warrant following the death of Myrtle Gottlieb, who passed away on June 4.
The charges stem from a two-vehicle crash that occurred on May 31 near westbound I-370 and Fields Road in Gaithersburg. Responding officers found that a blue Toyota Corolla stopped at a red light had been struck from behind by a blue Jeep Compass driven by Coskun. Gottlieb, a front-seat passenger in the Corolla, suffered critical injuries and was taken to a hospital, where she later died.
According to the Collision Reconstruction Unit, Coskun was intoxicated and driving at a high speed when he collided with the stopped vehicle. He was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence. Roughly two hours after the crash, a breath test registered his blood alcohol content at 0.09. Investigators also confirmed that he did not hold a valid driver’s license in any state.
Following a completed investigation, police charged Coskun with negligent manslaughter by vehicle and negligent homicide by vehicle while under the influence. He is currently being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.
By Jimmy Key