
DWI checkpoint Rt 228 Waldorf 121615 dedicated to Montgomery Officer Noah Leotta. DWI HIT PARADE PHOTO
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Maryland Trooper Solomon Flash hit by drunk driver on Washington Beltway. Photo courtesy of NBC Washington
DUI driver Chris Dent slammed into Trooper Solomon Flash investigating traffic collision on Washington Beltway; trooper and Anthony Owelle, one of the drivers hit sent to hospital
NBC WASHINGTON — A Maryland state trooper is hospitalized for injuries he sustained early this morning when his patrol car was struck by an alleged impaired driver, while the trooper was parked at the scene of a traffic crash in Prince George’s County. News4’s Derrick Ward reports.
A Maryland State Police trooper and a pedestrian were hit early Sunday morning by a driver who was intoxicated, police said.
A state police statement said the incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. Sunday in Prince George’s County, Maryland, along Route 4 (Pennsylvania Avenue) just west of Presidential Parkway. They said Trooper Solomon Flash was investigating a traffic collision when he was struck by another vehicle.
After hitting the patrol car, the vehicle continues and struck a pedestrian who was standing near the guardrail. The pedestrian, Anthony Owelle, 28, of Laurel, Maryland, was one of the drivers involved in the original collision.
Police said the driver, Chris M. Dent, 37, of Upper Marlboro, who struck the officer was intoxicated and taken into custody. He was not injured in the crash and has been initially charged with driving under the influence.
Flash was taken to the hospital with a possible concussion, according to police. He was conscious when he was transported. Owelle was also transported to the hospital.
According to the News4 I-Team, at least 37 Maryland State Police troopers have been hit by vehicles since January 2016. MORE