Columbia man killed, another injured in Montgomery Co. crash

A car driven by a Columbia man left a roadway and crashed into a tree early yesterday in Montgomery County, injuring him and killing his passenger, authorities reported.

The accident occurred about 5:15 a.m. in the Sunshine area, south of Patuxent State Park when the southbound 2003 Toyota Tercel driven by Joel Cartagena, 26, failed to negotiate a curve on Georgia Avenue near New Hampshire Avenue, skidded onto the shoulder and hit a tree, Montgomery County police said.

Cartagena, of the 9600 block of White Acre Road, was treated at Montgomery General Hospital in Olney for injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.

His passenger, identified as Omar Saldivar, 23, of the 8800 block of Tamar Drive, also in Columbia, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the accident was under investigation.