WASHINGTON — “It’s such a tragic and sudden loss,” says Sylvia Moreno, director of the Guiding Star Child Development Center in Bethesda.
She’s talking about the death of her colleague, Devika Gunasekere, who was hit by a Ride On bus just before 8 a.m. Tuesday.
The collision happened just a block from the development center. Moreno said she knew something was wrong when Gunasekere was late for work.
“She was at work 30 minutes early — a minimum of 30 minutes early — every day,” said Moreno, who thought “something is definitely not right.”
Montgomery County Police say Rockville resident Gunasekere, 67, was crossing Old Georgetown Road at Battery Lane when she was hit by the bus.
Officers believe she was in the crosswalk, and Moreno said she’s certain Gunasekere wouldn’t take chances.
“She’s older, so she walks a bit slower,” Moreno said. “But she’s such a careful woman, none of us can imagine that she would be at fault.”
Moreno says despite her age, Gunasekere had no trouble keeping up with the 2-year-olds in her care.
And her maternal streak extended to coworkers. Gunasekere comforted Moreno when she was going through a tough time.
“She cupped my face in her hands, the way a grandmother would hold your face to tell you everything’s going to be OK,” Moreno said.
The driver in the incident, 44-year-old Kenneth Mullen Jr., sustained what police called non-life threatening injuries. Police say four passengers were on the bus when the accident occurred.
Anyone with information to contact Montgomery County Police at 240-777-6620.
