Former Magruder High Star Soccer Player Dies in Crash

A former Magruder High School soccer star died early yesterday when his car hit a tree and overturned off Route 108, north of Laytonsville, Montgomery County police said.

Jason Roth, 22, of Damascus was driving south in the 22700 block of Laytonsville Road when his car veered off the road, police said. Roth, who was alone in the car, was wearing a seat belt, according to police. The car was discovered by an off-duty Fairfax County Fire and Rescue employee, who called 911 at 4:36 a.m.

Roth's family could not be reached for comment.

Roth played forward on Magruder's varsity soccer team in 2002 and 2003 and was a Washington Post All-Met honorable mention both years. Roth's older brother, Jon, was a midfielder for the team and earned All-Met honorable mentions in 1999 and 2000.

Both brothers were well-known and valued players, said Steve Pfeil, the head boys' varsity soccer coach at the school. He did not coach them but knew of their athletic ability.

"We have a pretty tightknit family at Magruder," Pfeil said. "When I heard this, it hit me like a ton of bricks."

The Magruder boys' soccer team has experienced several tragedies over the years. Pfeil, a former junior varsity coach, took over last year after head coach Scott Alexander died of a brain tumor at age 36.

In 1999, Doug Abel, a 15-year-old member of the varsity team, died of a rare heart condition. Magruder hosts a memorial soccer tournament in his name annually.

"This is going to be another huge shock," Pfeil said.

Detectives from Montgomery's collision reconstruction unit are investigating the crash. There are no known witnesses, and anyone with information is asked to call 301-840-2435.