SUSPECTED DRUNK DRIVER INJURES SEVERAL ON SHORE AFTER FLEEING POLICE

(Cambridge, MD) – Six people were transported to Eastern Shore hospitals after a suspected drunk driver who fled from state troopers crashed into another car on Rt. 50 in Dorchester County early this morning.

The driver of the fleeing vehicle is identified as Armand J. Cornish, 19, of Cambridge. A warrant has been obtained by State Police, charging him with attempt by driver to elude uniformed police by fleeing on foot, attempt by driver to elude uniformed police by failing to stop, failure to immediately return and remain at scene of accident involving bodily injury, person driving motor vehicle on highway on suspended license and privilege, and person driving motor vehicle on highway on revoked license and privilege.

Late today, Cornish was released from the hospital and has been returned to the Easton Barracks. He will be served with the warrant and taken before a court commissioner for his initial appearance. Additional charges are pending.

Passengers in the 1994 Ford Explorer Cornish was driving are identified as Joseph L. Johnson, 22, and Keandre L. Dawson, 17, both of Cambridge. Cornish, Johnson and Dawson were all transported to Dorchester General Hospital for treatment. Johnson and Dawson were treated and released. Late this morning, Cornish was transferred to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.

The driver of the 2004 Ford Mustang struck by Cornish is identified as Martin Portillo-Coreas, 33, of Laurel, Md. Passengers in his vehicle are identified as Ricardo Lopez, 23, and Enrique Ayala, 20, both of Washington, D.C. Portillo-Coreas and Ayala were flown by Maryland State Police helicopter to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center and Lopez was transported by ambulance to Dorchester General Hospital.

Shortly before 4:30 a.m. today, a Maryland state trooper from the Easton Barracks was sitting in his patrol car at the scene of a traffic crash on Rt. 33 at Blueberry Acres in St. Michaels. The trooper saw an oncoming vehicle weaving significantly and crossing the centerline.

The trooper pulled away from the crash scene and stopped the Ford Explorer that was driven by the man later identified as Cornish. While talking with Cornish, the trooper noticed the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage and asked the driver to step out of the car. Instead of complying, Cornish accelerated away, almost striking the trooper standing by his car.

The trooper began a pursuit of the fleeing vehicle, which traveled from Rt. 33 onto the Easton bypass and then onto eastbound Rt. 50. Units from the Easton Police Department and Talbot County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit.

The pursuit continued east on Rt. 50 at speeds that sometimes exceeded 100 mph. Police saw what appeared to be beer cans being thrown from the fleeing vehicle. Troopers and officers from the Cambridge Police Department set up stop sticks on the east side of the bridge in Cambridge.

Cornish’s vehicle struck the stop sticks and seconds later struck the rear of the eastbound Mustang driven by Portillo-Coreas. Cornish then apparently lost control of his vehicle and it traveled over the median and across westbound Rt. 50, coming to rest on the sidewalk.

Before Cornish’s vehicle stopped, all three persons inside bailed out and attempted to flee. Troopers and local police officers quickly apprehended the three and held them at the scene until they were turned over to medical personnel for transport to the hospital. During a cursory search of the Ford Explorer troopers saw what appears to be marijuana. Investigators are obtaining a search warrant for the vehicle and will be conducting a thorough search of the truck later.

Ayala was trapped in the rear seat of the Mustang. He was extricated by rescue personnel from the Cambridge Fire Department and is believed to have critical injuries.

In addition to Easton Barracks patrol troopers, investigators from the Maryland State Police CRASH Team and investigators from the Easton Barracks Criminal Investigation Section responded and are assisting with the investigation. State Police investigators have consulted with members of the Dorchester County State’s Attorney’s Office and kept officials apprised of developments in the investigation. Members of that office have provided legal advice concerning charges filed today and will be consulted regarding additional charges.

Agencies assisting the Maryland State Police with this incident include the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office, Easton Police Department, Cambridge Police Department, Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, Cambridge Fire Department and the State Highway Administration. Due to the entrapment of one of the victims and the area of the crash scene which covered both east and westbound lanes, Rt. 50 had to be closed in both directions for about four hours. SHA personnel set up detours around the scene.