Friends gathered Monday at the site where two young people lost their lives early on New Years Day, and police are continuing to investigate the fatal crash.
On Monday morning, investigators identified those who died in the Bethesda accident as Nicholas Scott Clayton, 20, who had been riding in the front seat, and Kaitlin Marie Gallagher, 18, who was riding in the back seat. Police say both died on the scene.
Investigators said the group in the 2007 Chevy Trail Blazer had been at a New Year's party before the accident. At 2:51 a.m. on Jan. 1, the vehicle was heading west on Jones Bridge Road when it left the roadway near Lancaster Drive.
The SUV drove off the right side of Jones Bridge Road, traveling over a sidewalk and through a fence before impacting a tree, iInvestigators said.
The vehicle's driver has been identified as 22-year-old Roderick Eugene Brice II, of Clarksburg. He was transported to Baltimore in serious condition. The other two passengers were identified as Conor John Hayes, 18, and Kevin Seiki Russel, 19. Both were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Residents who live near the crash site said the curves along Jones Bridge Road are deceptively dangerous, and fatal crashes have happened there in the past.
Montgomery County police captain Paul Starks confirmed that empty and full beer cans were found inside the crashed vehicle. Police would not yet say whether the driver was intoxicated.
By the end of the day Monday, no charges had been filed yet.
The female victim, Gallagher -- known as Kiki to friends -- was pregnant, sources said. Friends told News4's Darcy Spencer that Gallagher had helped many of them through times of trouble. One friend said Gallagher helped to persuade her not to commit suicide.
