MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — A Bethesda, Maryland man is facing charges for his role in an apparent driving contest in March resulted in a crash that left a D.C. man dead, according to Montgomery County police.
Owen Fowler, 25, was arrested Wednesday after police said the victim Jobani Cruz, 30, crashed into Fowler’s vehicle along Connecticut Avenue near Quincy Street on shortly after midnight on March 9. He was released after posting part of a $5,000 bond, officials said.
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Police said Cruz, driving a white 2023 Ram 1500 pick-up, and Fowler, driving a white 2012 Mercedes SLK convertible, were in a ‘speed contest’ along northbound Connecticut Avenue that involved the pair passing other vehicles and repeatedly switching lanes.
Cruz was driving at around 64 mph in a 30 mph zone when his vehicle struck Fowler near Primrose street, police said. Cruz’s vehicle then ran off the right side of the road, hit a utility pole and several trees before overturning. Fowler’s vehicle also overturned in the roadway, police said.
Both men were treated by emergency services, with Cruz being pronounced dead at the scene. Fowler was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
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During an investigation, officials said they found Cruz had been driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.12, which falls above the legal limit. Fowler had also operated his convertible without a license, and previously had his driving privileges revoked, officials said.
Fowler was charged with gross negligent manslaughter by vehicle and taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit before being released the same day.