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.