A suspect accused of striking and killing a pedestrian in Gaithersburg and fleeing the scene was arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport while attempting to board a flight, police said.
Montgomery County police have charged Josue David Carranza Castellon, who has no fixed address, in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a 56-year-old pedestrian early Wednesday morning in Gaithersburg.
Carranza Castellon was arrested Thursday at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey while attempting to board a flight, according to authorities. He is currently being held in Elizabeth, New Jersey, pending extradition to Maryland.
Pedestrian killed on Muddy Branch Road
The crash occurred at approximately 4:47 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Muddy Branch Road and West Diamond Avenue.
Investigators said a gray 2011 Honda CR-V was traveling northbound on Muddy Branch Road when it left the roadway for unknown reasons, entered the grassy median, and struck pedestrian Brian Roy Longaberger, 56.
Longaberger was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The investigation determined that Carranza Castellon was traveling northbound on Muddy Branch Road when his vehicle left the roadway for unknown reasons, entering the grassy median and striking 56-year-old Brian Roy Longaberger,” police said.
Damaged vehicle found near crash scene
At approximately 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Gaithersburg City Police officers located a gray 2011 Honda CR-V with front-end damage near the crash scene.
Detectives with the Montgomery County Department of Police Collision Reconstruction Unit developed Carranza Castellon as the suspect responsible for the fatal hit-and-run.
Authorities obtained an arrest warrant for Carranza Castellon later that day.
Manslaughter and hit-and-run charges filed
Carranza Castellon has been charged with manslaughter by vehicle and failure to remain at the scene of an accident resulting in death.
“Detectives applied for and received an arrest warrant for Carranza Castellon on Wednesday, June 17,” police said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Key Points
• Josue David Carranza Castellon was arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport while attempting to board a flight.
• Police say he struck and killed 56-year-old Brian Roy Longaberger on Muddy Branch Road in Gaithersburg and fled the scene.
• Carranza Castellon faces charges of manslaughter by vehicle and failure to remain at the scene of a fatal crash and is awaiting extradition to Maryland.