- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Salisbury Today
By the People, for the People
Salisbury University Freshman Fights for Life After Car Sinks Into Frozen Pond
Recent Rockville High School graduate Matthew Garcia killed in the crash.
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Andy Fon Koh, an 18-year-old Salisbury University freshman, is fighting for his life after a single-vehicle crash in Wicomico County, Maryland that resulted in his car sinking into a frozen pond. The crash claimed the life of his friend, Matthew Garcia, 18, who was driving the vehicle at the time.
Why it matters
The tragic incident highlights the dangers of driving on icy roads and the importance of water safety, especially during the winter months. It also underscores the challenges faced by immigrant families like Fon Koh's, who are dealing with medical emergencies and financial strains.
The details
On February 11, Garcia was driving a Honda Civic on S. Division Street when he failed to stop at a stop sign, entered the intersection, and struck a guardrail. The car then traveled around 100 feet off the road and became submerged in Coulbourn Mill Pond. Divers were able to rescue Fon Koh and another passenger, but Garcia did not survive. Fon Koh, who immigrated from Cameroon 13 years ago with his family, is now fighting for his life in the hospital.
- The crash occurred around 8:41 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
- As of Saturday, February 21, 2026, Fon Koh had been disconnected from an ECMO machine for his heart and was only receiving support for his lungs.
The players
Andy Fon Koh
An 18-year-old freshman at the Perdue School of Business at Salisbury University, who is fighting for his life after the crash.
Matthew Garcia
An 18-year-old recent graduate of Rockville High School who was driving the vehicle and died in the crash.
Agnes Nwalipenja
Fon Koh's mother, who is a devoted single parent and has been at her son's bedside as he recovers.
What they’re saying
“At only 18, he has already shown himself to be kind, gentle, intelligent, and always willing to help others. He has his whole life ahead of him — and right now, he needs all of us.”
— Madeleine Koblin (GoFundMe campaign)
“Today, she remains faithfully at Andy's bedside, unable to work as she focuses entirely on her son's fight for recovery. As medical uncertainty continues, everyday expenses do not stop — rent, utilities, food, and transportation costs are adding up quickly.”
— Madeleine Koblin (GoFundMe campaign)
What’s next
The medical team plans to remove Fon Koh from the lung ECMO machine within the next day or two, and an MRI is planned to evaluate his brain once he is fully disconnected from the ECMO support.
The takeaway
This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of safe driving, especially in winter conditions, and the challenges faced by immigrant families dealing with medical emergencies. The community's support and prayers for Fon Koh's recovery are crucial during this difficult time.
