Bangladeshi Mother, Daughter Killed in Wrong-Way Crash in Maryland; Driver Arrested

A Bangladeshi mother and her daughter were killed in a head-on collision involving a wrong-way driver on Interstate 270 in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Saturday evening.

The victims were identified as 46-year-old Musammat Shamima Begum and her 23-year-old daughter, Ariba Zahin. They were residents of the Burke and Alexandria areas of Virginia.

According to Maryland State Police, the crash occurred at about 6:46 p.m. on August 29 on the southbound lanes of I-270, south of Democracy Boulevard near Bethesda.

Investigators said 32-year-old Jose Caballero Nolasco was driving a Ford Mustang when he entered the southbound lanes while traveling in the wrong direction. His vehicle then collided head-on with a Toyota Camry carrying Shamima Begum and her daughter.

Both women died at the scene.

The 62-year-old driver of the Camry and an 8-year-old child who was also in the vehicle were taken to a hospital. Police have not released details about their conditions.

Nolasco was also taken to a hospital following the crash. After being released, he was taken into custody and held at the Montgomery County Detention Center.

Investigators suspect that alcohol or drugs may have been involved in the crash.

Nolasco faces multiple serious charges, including two counts of grossly negligent manslaughter, two counts of homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, and an additional charge related to causing life-threatening injuries.

The southbound lanes of I-270 remained closed for nearly five hours following the crash.

Maryland State Police’s Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate the incident.