Driver arrested in may crash that killed d. C. Woman on briggs chaney road
Police car - File photo

Driver arrested in May crash that killed D.C. woman on Briggs Chaney Road

December 2, 2024
1 min read

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A Silver Spring woman has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal collision on Briggs Chaney Road earlier this year that claimed the life of a Washington, D.C., woman.

Jovannie T. McCarthy, 27, was taken into custody on Sunday following an investigation by the Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit. Authorities allege McCarthy was behind the wheel of a 2006 Honda Accord that caused the deadly crash on May 8.

Police say the incident occurred at approximately 12:44 a.m. when McCarthy’s vehicle, exiting westbound MD 200 onto Briggs Chaney Road, crossed both lanes of traffic and collided with a 2023 Volkswagen traveling eastbound.

The crash resulted in fatal injuries to the Volkswagen’s passenger, 35-year-old Kiara Cheeks of Washington, D.C., who was transported to a local hospital but later pronounced dead.

McCarthy has been charged with criminally negligent manslaughter by vehicle, according to police, though additional underlying offenses have not been disclosed.

Police confirmed McCarthy’s arrest marks a significant development in the months-long investigation into the fatal crash.

Shore News Network Staff Report

Shore News Network Staff Report is the official newsroom byline used by Shore News Network when a story is produced through the collaborative work of multiple members of the editorial team rather than a single reporter.

This newsroom account is reserved for articles that involve contributions from multiple journalists, editors, photographers, researchers, or news desk staff. It is also used for developing stories that are updated as new verified information becomes available, as well as for community announcements, weather coverage, public safety alerts, election results, and other newsroom-produced content.

Every article published under the Shore News Network Staff Report byline is reviewed and edited in accordance with the organization's editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, attribution, and transparency. Information is verified through official government agencies, court records, law enforcement, public documents, direct reporting, interviews, and other reliable primary and secondary sources before publication whenever possible.

The Staff Report account does not use artificial intelligence to independently generate news or publish unverified information. AI-assisted tools may occasionally be used for editorial support tasks such as transcription, formatting, grammar review, or workflow efficiency, but all published content is subject to human editorial oversight and approval by Shore News Network's newsroom staff.

As an independently owned digital news organization, Shore News Network is committed to original reporting, public safety journalism, government accountability, local community coverage, and breaking news throughout New Jersey and surrounding regions. Stories published under the Staff Report byline reflect the collective experience and editorial judgment of the Shore News Network newsroom.

Readers who have corrections, additional information, or news tips related to a Staff Report article are encouraged to contact the newsroom at news@shorenewsnetwork.com. Shore News Network welcomes factual corrections and updates as part of its commitment to accurate, transparent journalism.