Driver Twice Over Legal Alcohol Limit Hits Officer at Crash Scene
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — A police officer was seriously injured early Friday morning after being struck by a car while directing traffic around an earlier crash scene.
Around 3:30 a.m., Prince George’s County Police were investigating a collision on the southbound side of Route 210, between Fort Washington Road and Swan Creek Road. An officer on the scene was directing vehicles away from the crash site, standing near his patrol car with its emergency lights activated and placing flares on the road when a vehicle struck the cruiser—causing it to slam into the officer and throw him into a guardrail.
The officer was rushed to the hospital in serious condition. Police say the driver of the vehicle that hit the cruiser had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit. They were taken into custody at the scene. At a Friday afternoon press conference, police spokesperson Brian Fischer confirmed the driver was cited for DUI and other traffic violations and later released. Their identity has not been made public.
Fischer added that the injured officer is recovering in the hospital and, despite being in considerable pain, is fortunate the injuries weren’t worse. “This could have been a tragic incident,” he said.
Police have not released information about how many vehicles were involved in the original crash or whether there were injuries in that incident.
The case has renewed focus on Maryland’s “Move Over” law, which requires drivers to either change lanes or slow down when approaching any stopped vehicle displaying warning signals. Originally enacted in 2010 to protect law enforcement officers, the law was later expanded to include tow truck drivers in 2014 and all motorists in 2022.
Violating the law can result in fines ranging from $110 to $750 and up to three points on a driver’s license, depending on the severity of the outcome.
The road was reopened to traffic by 9:30 a.m.
