BLADENSBURG, Md. — Birthday Celebration Turns Tragic as Car Plows Into Crowd, Killing One and Injuring Several Children
A night meant for laughter, cake, and family joy in Bladensburg, Maryland, turned into one of unimaginable horror late Saturday when a car drove directly into a birthday celebration. What began as a cheerful evening beneath a white party tent ended in devastation as screams replaced laughter and flashing emergency lights lit the darkened street.
Authorities confirmed that Ashley Hernandez Gutierrez, 31, lost her life after a sedan veered off Annapolis Road around 10 p.m. and slammed into a group of people gathered outside a home. The crash struck at least 14 partygoers, including eight children, some of them as young as one year old. The joyful gathering instantly transformed into chaos as chairs, balloons, and decorations scattered in every direction.
Witnesses described a horrifying scene. Music abruptly stopped, followed by a loud crash and the piercing cries of terrified children. Parents rushed forward in panic, pulling their sons and daughters from the wreckage as smoke rose from the crumpled sedan. Neighbors ran outside, some dialing 911, others grabbing towels and blankets to help the wounded until paramedics arrived.
Emergency crews from Prince George’s County responded swiftly, finding multiple victims sprawled across the yard and street. First responders triaged the injured, providing CPR and urgent care to those most in need. Ashley Hernandez Gutierrez, who had been celebrating with family, was rushed to a nearby hospital, but doctors were unable to save her. She was later pronounced dead from severe injuries sustained in the impact.
Of the eight children injured, six have since been treated and released from the hospital. Authorities confirmed their ages ranged from one to seventeen years old, underscoring the tragedy’s devastating reach. One child remains hospitalized in stable condition, receiving ongoing care. Families now cling to gratitude that more lives weren’t lost, even as they grieve the one taken too soon.
According to investigators, the vehicle’s driver, a 66-year-old man, initially fled the scene on foot after the crash. Witnesses reported seeing him stumble away into the darkness while victims screamed for help. Police launched a search that stretched into Sunday morning. By that afternoon, the man had turned himself in to the Bladensburg Police Department and is said to be cooperating with investigators.
Authorities have not yet released the cause of the crash or whether impairment, distraction, or a medical emergency played a role. The sedan involved is being examined for mechanical failures, while officers reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the collision. Charges are expected pending the results of the ongoing investigation.
Community members gathered Sunday evening to light candles and pray at the crash site. Balloons, teddy bears, and flowers now mark the spot where a night of celebration turned into tragedy. Friends described Gutierrez as a kind-hearted woman who loved children and family gatherings, always bringing joy wherever she went.
The Prince George’s County Police Department is urging anyone with information or video footage from the area to come forward. For now, a neighborhood that was once filled with laughter stands in quiet mourning — a vivid reminder of how a single moment can change countless lives forever.
May Ashley Hernandez Gutierrez be remembered for her warmth, and may those injured continue to heal surrounded by love and community support.