OLNEY, Md. — A stretch of Md. 97/Georgia Avenue, near the Intercounty Connector, has been dedicated to the memory of Montgomery County police Officer Noah Leotta who was killed by a drunken driver last December.
“Noah was raised here in Olney, he attended schools here, as a police officer he served this community and it is along this stretch of road Noah is laid to rest,” said Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan.
Leotta’s parents, Rich Leotta and Marcia Goldman, looked on as dignitaries praised their son who, at age 24, was fatally injured by a drunken driver as he worked the department’s holiday alcohol task force on Rockville Pike on the night of Dec. 3, 2015.
Besides bearing Leotta’s name, the road’s sign warns: “Don’t drink and drive.”
Montgomery County police Chief Tom Manger pointed out that Leotta’s death sparked Noah’s Law, one of the toughest drunken driving laws in the nation, which will take effect Oct. 1.
“Noah Leotta, because of the sacrifice he made, will save thousands and thousands of lives in the years to come,” Manger said.
Noah’s Law mandates ignition interlocks for convicted drunken drivers who will be required to blow alcohol free into the device in order to start their vehicle.
“Noah is a hero,” Hogan added.
In front of a roadside audience that included elected officials, state and county police officers, and Leotta’s family and friends, Rich Leotta said, “We can’t bring Noah back, but we can make a difference and make sure other people don’t have to suffer what we have.”
