Passenger in Sam Eig Highway Collision Dies from Injuries; Eighteen-Year-Old Driver Arrested for DUI

For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 5, 2025

Gaithersburg, MD –

At approximately 8:35 a.m., officers from the Gaithersburg City Police Department responded to a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of westbound Sam Eig Highway and Fields Road. The vehicles involved were a blue 2018 Jeep Compass and a blue 2017 Toyota Corolla.

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The preliminary investigation revealed that the Toyota Corolla was stopped at a red traffic signal when it was struck from behind by the Jeep Compass, which was traveling westbound on Sam Eig Highway. The driver of the Toyota and its passenger, 88-year-old Myrtle Gottlieb of Rockville, were both transported to an area hospital, with Gottlieb in critical condition.

On Wednesday, June 4, Gottlieb died as a result of her injuries

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The driver of the Jeep Compass, an 18-year-old male, remained at the scene and was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and operating a vehicle without a driver’s license.

He was transported to Gaithersburg City Police Headquarters and administered a test to determine his blood alcohol concentration, the results of which are pending at this time.

CRU detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision and any charges will be filed upon the completion of the investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Montgomery County Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620.

Release ID: 25-254
Media Contact: S.D. Goff
Categories: fatal-collision

For updates and link to press release, see here: http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail_Pol.aspx?Item_ID=47166