Editor’s note: This story, published at 3:10 p.m. on Sept. 9, 2024, was updated at 3:40 p.m. on Sept. 9, 2024, to add information from police that the driver has not been charged. It was updated at 5:40 p.m. to include a statement from WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell.
A WSSC Water employee has been identified as the victim of the fatal pedestrian collision that occurred early Sunday in Silver Spring, according to Montgomery County police.
Ernest Joseph Dyson, 39, of Clinton was working when he was struck by a driver of a black 2011 Volkswagen CC at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Rodney Road, police said Monday in a statement. WSSC Water provides water and wastewater services to customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, according to its website.
WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell said in a statement Monday afternoon that the WSSC Water organization was “heartbroken and honestly still in shock” following news of Dyson’s death.
According to Powell, Dyson, who worked at WSSC Water for 18 years, was responding to a water main break in Silver Spring when he was fatally struck early Sunday.
“This is a sad reminder of the risks our front-line water heroes face in service to our 1.9 million customers,” Powell said. “…Ernest was the embodiment of professionalism and public service … [and] a dedicated and highly respected member of the Utility Services Department.”
Powell said that the WSSC Water would continue to support Dyson’s family and team following the “senseless tragedy.”
At approximately 4:40 a.m. officers and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service crews responded to the scene of the collision for a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle, police said. The collision occurred in the Hillandale neighborhood of Silver Spring near Hillandale Local Park.
An investigation revealed the driver of the vehicle was allegedly “intoxicated” and traveling southbound on New Hampshire Avenue when the collision occurred, according to police.
Dyson was pronounced dead at the scene. The adult driver was uninjured, according to a police statement issued Sunday.
The driver of the vehicle has not been charged, police spokesperson Casandra Tresler said in an email Monday.
Tresler said that the department’s Collision Reconstruction Unit “thoroughly investigates” fatal collision cases and investigations can take up to eight weeks to complete. When the investigation is complete, the case is presented to the State’s Attorney’s Office for review and the potential determination of charges.
Detectives are asking those who may have witnessed the collision to call 240-773-6620. The investigation is active and ongoing.
WSSC Water did not immediately respond to MoCo360’s email and phone call requests for comment Monday afternoon.