The 18-year-old unlicensed teenage driver who killed 88-year-old Myrtle Gottlieb appeared in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Tuesday.
Liam Coskun, now 19, pleaded guilty to grossly negligent manslaughter and the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He admitted to drinking and taking the 2018 Blue Jeep Compass without permission.
Shortly after 8:35 a.m. on May 31, 2025, Coskun was driving with 88-year-old Myrtle Gottlieb as the front seat passenger when he crashed into the back of a 2017 Blue Toyota Corolla at the intersection of Sam Eig Highway and Fields Road. Coskun and Gottlieb’s relationship is unknown, as is the reason why he was driving with her.
An investigation by the Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit determined that the crash was avoidable and that Coskun failed to stop at a red light before striking the Toyota from behind. Several hours after the crash, at 11:52 a.m., the defendant consented to an alcohol concentration test, which resulted in a breath alcohol concentration of .09.
Gottlieb suffered serious injuries in the collision and was taken to an area hospital. She died on June 4 from her injuries, less than a week after the crash. The extent of the injuries to the female driver of the Toyota is not known at this time.
Per the plea agreement, the defendant faces a maximum of 13 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 23, 2026.
