Shortly before midnight on Tuesday night, police received 9-1-1 calls reporting a white Mercedes CLS 450 traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-270 near Rockledge Drive. The preliminary investigation indicates the driver, later identified as Jayleen Hannor, 23, of Macon, Georgia continued driving the wrong direction on I-270 on to the outer loop of I-495 when he crashed into a Nissan Pathfinder and a Lexus SUV at exit 34, Route 355. Hannor continued driving until he bailed out of the vehicle and fled on foot in the area of Connecticut Avenue. The crash killed Elizabeth Velez, 36, of Easton, Pennsylvania. She was the driver of a Nissan Pathfinder involved in the crash. Velez is the mother of three children, ages 2, 5, and 15, all of whom were passengers in the vehicle.
A GoFundMe has been started for the family of Elizabeth Velez, whose 15-year-old daughter was also seriously injured in the crash, according to the fundraiser. In just one day, over $10,000 has been raised to help support her husband Johnny and their three daughters as they move forward.
Hannor was taken into police custody and transported to the Rockville Barrack for processing. He was later transported to Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center where he is currently under police guard. Hannor faces multiple charges to include driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to immediately return and remain at the scene of a crash involving death. Additional charges are pending further investigation and consultation with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Per the GoFundMe: “Elizabeth Velez passed away on August 2, 2023. Her life was cut short by a tragic automobile accident. Lisa, as she was affectionately known by all of her family and friends, leaves behind her husband, Johnny and their three beautiful daughters, Ray (15 y.o.), Eli (8 y.o.) and Joli (almost 2 y.o.) Lisa’s oldest daughter, Ray, suffered major injuries that will require ongoing medical care and therapy.
Lisa was a beloved wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and nurse but most importantly, she was a mother. She was a fierce protector of her daughters and her unwavering love for them was instantly palpable to anyone who had the honor of meeting her.
Lisa was a force to be reckoned with, a sensitive, passionate and quick-witted woman who loved hard, dreamt big and left her mark on this world in every way. Her dedication to her family and friends as well as her strength and perseverance in the face of adversity was unmatched. She recently graduated from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in December 2022 and began her career as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at St. Luke’s Easton Hospital, an accomplishment that she was extremely proud of especially having gone through many obstacles to achieve her lifelong goal…pregnancy, a c-section, a car accident and surgery…just to name a few.
Lisa was the best friend you could ever have, an advocate not only for her patients but for anyone in need. She did not hesitate to jump into action when anyone needed a helping hand. Lisa had big dreams and plans for herself and her family. Sadly, she will not be able to realize those dreams. This terrible tragedy comes on the heels of the 10th Anniversary of the death of Lisa’s beloved mother. Lisa’s terrible loss undoubtedly played a part in shaping her into the phenomenal mother that she became.
Lisa may have left us but her legacy, her life and her love will live on through her precious daughters, family and friends. We can all help to lighten the load for her family just a little bit and offset some of the costs for her services, Ray’s medical bills and any future needs of her daughters. Please consider a donation to help Lisa’s family. No amount is too small.”
Featured photo courtesy of the GoFundMe fundraiser