Rockville Woman Identified as Victim in Wheaton Hit and Run

Update, 3:07 p.m.:

Demetrio Gomez Sanchez, one of two people struck by a car in a hit-and-run incident on Monday in Wheaton is now listed in fair condition at Suburban Hospital, a hospital spokeswoman said. Sanchez, 43, of Rockville, had been in critical condition immediately after the incident in which his wife, Maria De la Paz, 39, was killed.

Original post, 12:16 p.m.:

County police have identified Maria De la Paz of Rockville as the woman killed in a hit-and-run incident in Wheaton on Monday night.

De la Paz, 39, and her husband, Demetrio Gomez Sanchez, 43, both of the 4800 block of Ertter Road, were struck by a white BMW traveling eastbound on Veirs Mill Road after they stepped off a bus near the intersection of Centerhill Street at 9:42 p.m., police said.

Both De la Paz and Sanchez were taken to a Suburban Hospital, where De la Paz was pronounced dead. Sanchez remained in critical condition on Thursday morning.

The BMW driver initially stopped, then fled the scene, police said. 

The driver, Pierre Michel, 29, of the 2700 block of University Boulevard West in Silver Spring and a passenger, Christopher Forker, 29, of the 3200 block of Limekiln Road in Sharpsburg were not injured in the collision, police said.

Fourth District officers found the BMW in a nearby neighborhood. The driver and the passenger were located at two separate locations not far from the scene, but not at the vehicle, police said.

Anyone who has information about incident is asked to contact the county police's Collision Reconstruction Unit at 301-840-2435.  Callers may remain anonymous.

Takoma Park Patch editor Ryan McDermott contributed to this report.