Police In Montgomery County Investigate 2 Crashes Seconds Apart

COLESVILLE, Md. (WJZ) -- If it was a coincidence, it was one strange enough for police to begin asking questions.

Alex DeMetrick reports it involves two accidents seconds apart -- one of them fatal.

Last Friday morning in Colesville, wreckage revealed the force of the impact that destroyed Victoria Hitchins' Toyota Camry, instantly killing the 71-year-old scientist on her way to work at a federal lab.

Seconds later, a black SUV hit a power pole. The passengers ran away. The driver was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI.

"We're looking at every possible angle," said Sgt. Nick Picerno, Montgomery County Police Department.

Police know both vehicles were speeding and came close together, but there was no sign of a collision. Police believe there was some sort of interaction.

It's that interaction that's at the heart of the mystery -- were there words or gestures exchanged? Was a threat made? Did it lead to a chase?

"We're looking at every possible scenario imaginable. We are not ruling anything out," Sgt. Picerno said.

Twenty-year-old Ousmane Barry was driving the SUV.

"I can't really comment on his level of his cooperation at this point," said Picerno.

Police say Barry had been cited for an accident that happened two days before the Colesville crashes. That took out the SUV's back window, making it easy to remember. More witnesses are being sought.

"We think there are more people who saw things, and just at the time, it didn't seem significant, but now may appear to be significant to them now," said Picerno.

After all, thousands were traveling Friday's morning rush hour when something fatal happened.

Crime Solvers of Montgomery County is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in this fatal accident.