A 13-year-old boy driving a stolen Kia Optima crashed into a Toyota Matrix in Germantown, Maryland, early Tuesday, killing 58-year-old Virginia father William Vance Payne II and injuring seven minors inside the stolen vehicle, according to local police.
The early morning commute on Tuesday transformed into a tragedy at the intersection of Clopper Road and Great Seneca Highway in Germantown, Maryland. A 2015 Kia Optima, carrying seven juveniles ranging in age from 12 to 15, entered the intersection and struck a blue 2007 Toyota Matrix traveling on Clopper Road. First responders arrived at the scene around 5:25 a.m. to find both vehicles severely damaged, with the Toyota’s driver pronounced dead upon arrival.
Victim Identified as Longtime NIST Mechanical Engineer
The driver of the Toyota Matrix was identified as 58-year-old William Vance Payne II of Berryville, Virginia. Known to his family and colleagues as Vance, he was a father of five who left behind a wife, two adult daughters, two young daughters, and a young son.
At the time of the collision, Payne was approximately three miles—about a 10-minute drive—from his workplace, commuting on his way to work at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg. He had dedicated 29 years of his career to the agency, serving as a mechanical engineer in the Engineering Laboratory’s Building Energy and Environment Division.
“His research focused on making residential heat pump and air conditioning systems more reliable, safe and efficient for the homeowners and residents who rely on them. Our thoughts are with Vance’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.”
NIST officials
Coworkers described Payne as salt of the earth and one of the most warm and friendly individuals they had ever known, noting that his loss leaves a profound void among his colleagues. His wife, Lisa Payne, shared a brief statement remembering her husband: William Vance Payne II was known as Vance. He was 58. He was kind and generous to a fault.
Seven Juveniles Hospitalized After Collision In Stolen Kia
Police determined that the white Kia Optima involved in the impact was driven by a 13-year-old boy. The vehicle was carrying four girls, ages 14, 14, 13, and 12, alongside three boys, including the 13-year-old driver, a 15-year-old, and a 12-year-old. Investigators confirmed that the vehicle was reported stolen from a Montgomery County residence several hours after the collision occurred.
Emergency crews rushed the teenage driver to a hospital in critical condition; authorities later described his status as stable. The six passengers sustained injuries of varying severity and were transported to regional trauma centers. Shiera Goff of the Montgomery County Police Department noted the dangerous conditions inside the car prior to the crash, pointing out that none of the occupants were old enough to drive and some were not secure in their seats, with certain passengers sitting on others’ laps.
Ongoing Investigation and Unresolved Questions
The Montgomery County Police Department’s crash reconstruction unit is leading the ongoing inquiry, which officials warn could take several weeks or months to finalize. Investigators are still working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding how the minors gained access to the stolen vehicle.
While neighbors and community members expressed shock over the incident, formal determinations regarding criminal charges remain pending. Police officials indicated that the evidence will be submitted to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, which holds the authority to decide what charges, if any, will be filed against the juveniles involved.
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