MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) — A fatal crash involving a stolen vehicle driven by juveniles occurred Tuesday in Germantown, resulting in one death.
Montgomery County Police reported that seven children, ages 12 to 15, were in a stolen sedan when it collided with another vehicle. Authorities identified the deceased as 58-year-old Vance Payne, who was en route to work at the time of the accident.
The incident has renewed discussions regarding youth crime and driving safety in Maryland. Payne's family expressed their grief in a statement, requesting privacy as they cope with their loss.
In response, Del. Kathy Szeliga, R-Baltimore County, has urged state leaders to initiate a public information campaign emphasizing the seriousness of crimes involving stolen vehicles. “This behavior has to stop,” she stated, calling for collective action from officials, including Governor Wes Moore and Mayor Brandon Scott.
This crash is not an isolated event; previous incidents involving juveniles and stolen vehicles have also been reported. In June, a 14-year-old was involved in a hit-and-run that resulted in the death of a three-year-old in Baltimore.
Residents expressed concerns over the prevalence of juvenile crime, advocating for stronger penalties to deter offenders and increase parental responsibility. Szeliga echoed these sentiments, noting that diminishing accountability measures for juveniles has contributed to the issue.
Authorities continue to investigate the crash, while discussions about improving safety measures on Maryland roads persist.