Collison Reconstruction Unit Investigates Bethesda Church Road Fatality: Victim’s Identity Released

For Immediate Release: Thursday, January 15, 2026

Gaithersburg, MD – Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit are investigating a fatal single-vehicle collision that occurred on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in Germantown. The collision resulted in the death of 28-year-old Michael Patrick Fitzgerald Jr. of Germantown.

At approximately 1:19 a.m., 5th District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service personnel responded to the intersection of Bethesda Church Road and Johnson Drive for the report of a single-vehicle collision involving a black 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross that had struck a tree.

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The preliminary investigation indicates that the Mitsubishi was traveling northbound on Bethesda Church Road when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle left the roadway and collided with a tree.

Upon arrival, responders located Fitzgerald unconscious inside the Mitsubishi. He was transported to an area hospital, where he later died from injuries sustained in the collision.

This remains an active investigation. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620.

Read the original article at mcpd