WASHINGTON — The trial of a man accused of deliberately hitting a police officer with his car is underway in Maryland, with prosecutors arguing the attack was intentional.
Frederick Raphael Mayorga is on trial for allegedly striking Montgomery County Police Sergeant Patrick Kepp while driving at speeds of around 110 mph on I-270 North near Gaithersburg in October 2023. Kepp was critically injured and later lost both legs due to the crash.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Kepp provided emotional testimony, describing the moment he was hit while deploying stop sticks. His voice trembled as he recounted the injuries, saying he didn’t realize the extent of the damage to his legs until much later.
Prosecutors argue that Mayorga deliberately targeted Kepp, pointing to their history—Kepp had previously arrested Mayorga for traffic violations. They also noted that Mayorga had reportedly changed his Instagram profile picture to a photo of the sergeant, suggesting an unhealthy fixation.
Mayorga’s defense, however, denies any intent to harm. His attorney claimed the profile photo was merely online trolling and argued that Mayorga tried to swerve at the last second to avoid hitting Kepp. While acknowledging that Mayorga was driving recklessly, the defense insists there was no intent to kill.
The trial is ongoing, with witness testimony continuing and a verdict expected by the end of the week.
