Wrong-way Driving Leads To Crashes

A driver caused several crashes on U.S. 15 and I-270 when she drove her Volvo S40 south in the northbound lanes about 2 a.m. Thursday, according to Maryland State Police.

Amanda Tyerar, 21, of Gaithersburg, has been charged with driving under the influence and driving while impaired, said First Sgt. Chris Sasse.

Her wrong-way ride stretched for seven miles, police said.

Troopers started hearing reports of a Volvo heading south in the northbound lanes of U.S. 15 at Rosemont Avenue, said Trooper M.E. Crouse.

"More than two dozen citizens called in," Sasse said. One of the callers was an off-duty Gaithersburg City Police officer whose vehicle was almost struck, police said.

The first crash happened on U.S. 15 at West Patrick Street when a passing car going in the correct direction was forced off the road by the Volvo and struck a tractor-trailer, police said. No one was taken to a hospital.

The second happened when Karen Gonzalez-Arriaza drove up an embankment and rolled her vehicle over on I-270 near Baker Valley Road while trying to avoid a head-on collision with the Volvo, police said. Gonzalez-Arriaza was treated at Frederick Memorial Hospital and released.

The final crash happened when the Volvo sideswiped a vehicle near Md. 80, police said. Both cars became disabled, but neither driver was injured. Crouse arrested Tyerar after giving her a field sobriety test. She went through processing and was released to a family member.

The northbound lanes of I-270 north of Md. 80 were closed for a short time while police investigated.

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