Montgomery County Police have identified the victim of Tuesday morning’s fatal two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Clopper Road and Great Seneca Highway in Germantown as William Vance Payne II, 58, of Virginia.
At approximately 5:25 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 5th District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the intersection for a reported serious collision. Payne, the driver of a 2007 Toyota Matrix, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the preliminary investigation, a white 2015 Kia Optima was traveling northbound on Great Seneca Highway when it entered the intersection and struck the eastbound Toyota. Police said the Kia had been reported stolen from Germantown several hours before the crash.
The Kia was occupied by seven juveniles between the ages of 12 and 15, including four girls, ages 14, 14, 13 and 12, and three boys, ages 15, 13 and 12. Police said the 13-year-old male driver was transported to an area hospital in critical but stable condition, while the other occupants were taken to several area trauma centers.
The Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate the crash. Detectives said the investigation could take several weeks to months to complete, and any potential charges will be determined by the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office after investigators present the evidence.
