One dead in early-morning crash that shut down Route 27 in Montgomery County

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Montgomery County Police Cruiser

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. - A deadly single-vehicle collision shut down part of Route 27 in Damascus early Sunday morning, leaving one person dead and prompting a large fire and rescue response.

The crash happened around 4 a.m. on Ridge Road near Kings Valley Road, police said.

What we know:

Montgomery County police and fire rescue crews were called just after 4:05 a.m. to 24,100 Ridge Road, near the intersection with Kings Valley Road, for reports of a serious crash. Fire officials said multiple units responded to the scene.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue confirmed that one patient was evaluated for traumatic injuries, while police later announced the crash was deadly.

Route 27 was closed between Kings Valley Road and Hawkes Road during the investigation. Drivers were asked to use alternate routes throughout the morning.

Update from police

Responders reportedly found a gray 2013 Honda Civic coupe that had overturned into an embankment. According to police, the driver was an adult male and the only person in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

After initial investigation, police deduced the Honda was heading south before the driver lost control. The man was ejected from the vehicle and found in the roadway, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Evidence from the scene suggested alcohol was a contributing factor to the crash.

Police say the Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating and the name of the victim will be withheld until next of kin are notified.