Teen charged as adult after 76 mph crash kills 16 year old in Silver Spring
Gaithersburg, MD – A 17-year-old Silver Spring driver has been charged as an adult in connection with a fatal pedestrian crash last fall after investigators concluded he was traveling 76 mph in a 30 mph zone when he struck a 16-year-old boy, police said.
Justin Alvarado, 17, of Silver Spring, was arrested and charged with manslaughter by vehicle – gross negligence. He was transported to the Central Processing Unit. A bond hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
The crash occurred Sunday, September 21 at approximately 9:14 p.m. in the area of University Boulevard West and St. Paul Street in Silver Spring. Officers and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service personnel responded to multiple reports of a pedestrian struck.
Responders located 16-year-old James Evert Anderson of Kensington in the roadway. Despite life saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, 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 determined he was traveling 76 mph in the posted 30 mph zone prior to the collision.
Police concluded that Alvarado was operating the vehicle in a grossly negligent manner and in violation of restrictions associated with his Maryland learner’s permit. Detectives determined his speed directly endangered pedestrians and other motorists in the area.
The case stems from a September crash that left a Kensington teenager dead and has now resulted in criminal charges months later.
Key Points
- Justin Alvarado, 17, was charged as an adult with manslaughter by vehicle – gross negligence
- Police say he was traveling 76 mph in a 30 mph zone at the time of the crash
- The collision killed 16-year-old James Evert Anderson in September