Potomac Crash Kills Man, Mother of 2

A man and woman died Wednesday after the car the man was driving in Potomac, Maryland, hit a tree and burst into flames, police say.

Kent Brooks, 30, and Kathleen French, 33, were killed when Brooks lost control of the 2011 Audi S4 he was driving on a curve of Democracy Boulevard near Gainsborough Road, Montgomery County police said.

The friends were returning from a night of karaoke when the crash occurred. Police responded about 11:40 p.m.

The car hit the tree which such force that it landed on the opposite site of Democracy Boulevard and burst into flames.

Both Brooks and French were pronounced dead on the scene.

French was a mother of two who was about to have a children's book published.

"She was such a loving mother and friend and sister and daughter," French's sister, Lauren French, told News4. "She loved her family more than anything else in her entire life, and we're all gonna really miss her."

Brooks' friends said he worked in sales and loved cars and video games.

Police continue to investigate the cause of the crash. "Alcohol, speed, the road condition [and] the vehicle condition" will be considered, Capt. Paul Starks said.

The victims' loved ones shared hugs and prayers at the crash site Thursday evening.

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call police at 240-773-6620.

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