Driver indicted in crash that left both his passengers dead in Rockville

ROCKVILLE, Md. — A Maryland man has been indicted after police say he got behind the wheel after drinking, leaving two of his passengers dead after crashing into a utility pole. 

A grand jury in Montgomery County returned the indictment against 20-year-old Jean Pierre Velasco on charges related to the 2023 deadly crash. He was indicted on two counts of negligent manslaughter by car, two counts of homicide by car while under the influence of alcohol and two counts of homicide by car while under the influence of alcohol per se.

On March 4, 2023, just after 4 a.m., crews with Montgomery County Department of Police and Fire Rescue responded to a crash involving a black 2012 Infiniti G37 on Montrose Road at the intersection of Hitching Post Lane in Rockville.

Investigators say 19-year-old Leslie Kristin Ventura of Germantown was pronounced dead. A second passenger, 19-year-old Kailey Briana Vigil of Rockville, was taken to an area hospital in critical condition, where she died a day later.

Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that Velasco was responsible for the crash. Police say he was under the influence when the wreck occurred.

Velasco was released on an unsecured personal bond.

Police say it's important to note an indictment is not a finding of guilt. Jean Pierre Velasco is presumed innocent until proven guilty, pending the outcome of a trial.