A tragic accident occurred on I-270 in Montgomery County on Saturday, August 29, resulting in the deaths of two women. Musammat Shamima Begum, 46, from Burke, and her daughter, 23-year-old Areebah Jahin from Alexandria, were traveling southbound in a Toyota Camry shortly before 6:50 p.m. when a Ford Mustang, driven by 32-year-old Jose Caballero Nolasco of Germantown, collided with them head-on after entering the southbound lanes from the wrong direction.
Both Begum and Jahin were pronounced dead at the scene. Two other passengers in the Camry, a 62-year-old man and an 8-year-old girl, were injured and transported to local hospitals for treatment. Nolasco, who was alone in his vehicle, also sustained injuries and was taken to a hospital.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and suspect that alcohol impairment may have played a role in the incident. Nolasco has been charged with:
- Two counts of gross negligent manslaughter;
- Two counts of homicide by vehicle while impaired by alcohol;
- Causing life-threatening injury by motor vehicle.
After being released from the hospital, Nolasco was taken to the Montgomery County Detention Center, where he is awaiting a court appearance. Additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
The crash prompted the closure of several lanes for about five hours while the Maryland State Police Crash Team conducted their investigation.
