David Ryan Willemstijn, 18, is still in critical condition at Suburban Hospital, one week after a single-car accident on Democracy Boulevard near Newbridge Drive.
"He left the roadway to the right-hand side, struck a curb, went airborne and struck three trees," said officer Derek Baliles, spokesperson for Montgomery County Police.
Police believe that Willemstijn, of Silver Spring, was driving his 1997 Toyota Supra over the 45 mile per hour posted speed limit and that speed caused him to lose control at approximately 12:57 a.m. on the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 20, said Baliles. The 18-year-old was driving eastbound on Democracy and was approaching Newbridge Drive when his car flipped.
Willemstijn was "severely pinned and trapped" inside his vehicle, said Eugene Roesser of Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department, which helped in extricating him from the car. The driver was taken by ambulance to Suburban Hospital.
Devin Theodore Walker, 17, of Kensington, was a passenger in the car at the time of the accident. He was flown to the trauma center at Washington Hospital Center by Maryland helicopter, said Baliles.
Rockville Station No. 33 was the first to respond and Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department assisted, said Roesser.
Willemstijn is still in critical condition as of Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 26, said a spokesperson for Suburban Hospital.
"They said it was the worst accident they've ever seen as far as damage to the vehicle, even worse than the Beltway accident," said Roesser, referring to the multi-car accident on the inner-loop of the Beltway under the Persimmon Tree Lane overpass on Saturday, Feb. 16. A total of 14 people were treated and one was killed in the four-car collision on the Beltway.
The Collision Reconstruction Unit is still investigating the accident on Democracy Boulevard, said Baliles. Willemstijn was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. It is unknown whether alcohol was involved in the accident, said Baliles.