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2 Off-Duty Officers Killed In I-270 Crash Identified

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Authorities say an FBI agent and a state fire marshal were struck and killed while standing on the shoulder of I-270 in Montgomery County.

At about 10 p.m. Friday, one of the officers was at the scene of a single-vehicle traffic crash on southbound I-270 just north of Gude Drive. Police say he requested assistance and used his car to block the damaged vehicle from oncoming traffic.

The officer then learned the driver of the disabled vehicle was also an officer. Both men moved to the shoulder, where they were standing when a vehicle approached them.

Officials say the vehicle swerved to avoid hitting cars in the other lane and struck both officers. Both men were thrown over the road partition, where at least one of them was struck by a car traveling northbound.

One officer died on the scene, according to police, and the other was transported to Suburban Hospital where he later died.

"This is an extremely sad day for all of us who serve and protect the community," said Baltimore FBI Special Agent Gordon Johnson. "He was assigned to the FBI's criminal investigative division at FBI'S headquarters - the loss will be felt by the entire FBI family."

The driver and one passenger in the car that struck the officers were also taken to Suburban Hospital, while a second passenger was taken to Shady Grove Hospital.  The driver of the northbound car had no injuries.

Police have identified the victims as FBI Supervisory Special Agent Carlos Wolff and Sander Cohen of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department and deputy chief with the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office.

"Deputy Chief Cohen was a decorate fire marshal and often acknowledged for his service in Maryland. He told the barrack he would safeguarding the scene and would be out with the driver," said Col. William Pallozzi of the Maryland State Police. "The investigation indicates that Cohen and driver of SUV then moved to shoulder of fast lane, they were standing there when a southbound vehicle swerved onto shoulder, struck both of them, and propelled both their bodies over the jersey wall."

Police say alcohol is not a factor in these crashes.  The causes of the crashes remain under investigation.

Charges have not yet been filed.

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