A 17-year-old has been arrested and charged as an adult in connection with a fatal pedestrian collision that killed a 16-year-old in Kensington in September 2025, Montgomery County police announced Wednesday.
Justin Alvarado, 17, of Silver Spring has been charged with manslaughter by vehicle – gross negligence. He was taken to the Central Processing Unit following his arrest. A bond hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18.
The collision occurred on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at approximately 9:14pm, in the area of University Boulevard West and St. Paul Street. Police and fire personnel responded to reports of a pedestrian being struck and located 16-year-old James Evert Anderson of Kensington in the roadway. Despite life-saving efforts, Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene.
A preliminary investigation by the Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit determined that Anderson was crossing the westbound lanes of University Boulevard West when he was struck by a white 2023 Nissan Murano traveling westbound. Investigators said Alvarado remained at the scene and showed no signs of impairment.
Detectives concluded that Alvarado was traveling at approximately 76mph in a posted 30mph zone at the time of the collision, more than twice the speed limit. Investigators also determined that Alvarado was operating the vehicle in violation of the restrictions of his Maryland learner’s permit.
Police said Alvarado’s speed and manner of driving directly endangered pedestrians and other motorists in the area, leading to the fatal crash.
