Driver to Plead Guilty in Crash That Killed Md. Teen, Parents

What to Know

  • Ogulcan Atakoglu was driving a BMW west on River Road when it struck a Chevy Volt turning left on Pyle Road from River Road.
  • Michael Buarque De Macedo, 52; his wife, Alessandra M. Buarque De Macedo, 53; and their son, Thomas Michael Buarque De Macedo, 17, died.
  • Atakoglu faces up to 30 years in prison.

The driver involved in a crash that killed a teenager and his parents in Maryland will plead guilty to three counts of manslaughter.

The evening of Feb. 27, 20-year-old Ogulcan Atakoglu of Potomac was driving a BMW west on River Road when it struck a Chevy Volt turning left on Pyle Road from the eastbound lanes of River Road.

Michael Buarque De Macedo, 52; his wife, Alessandra M. Buarque De Macedo, 53; and their son, Thomas Michael Buarque De Macedo, 17, suffered fatal injuries. The daughter in the family, Helena Buarque De Macedo survived serious injuries she suffered in the crash.

Helena was a sophomore at Walt Whitman High School, and her brother was a senior. The family was heading to an event at the school.

In an emotional graduation ceremony at Whitman in the spring, Helena accepted her brother's honorary diploma.

Atakoglu, who survived his injuries from the crash, faces up to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine on each count.

Members of the community say changing the intersection on River Road near Pyle Road has been a topic through years of crashes and near misses.

Contact Us