TROOPER RESCUES WOMAN FROM SUBMERGING VEHICLE

(BEL AIR, MD) – A Maryland state trooper’s rescue of a Harford County woman whose vehicle was being submerged in flood waters last night is a reminder of why police, fire, and emergency management personnel are urging motorists not to drive into areas flooded by the continuing rain.

At about 8:30 p.m. yesterday, Corporal Ray Domico, of the Bel Air Barrack, was assigned to a traffic post at Rt. 24 and Cherry Hill Road where the road was closed due to flooding. Police Communications Operator Veronica Bruns received a frantic 911 call from a woman who was trapped in her vehicle that was being submerged after she drove into water flooding across the roadway from Deer Creek on Rt. 24 at St. Clair Bridge Road, about two miles north of Cpl. Domico’s post. While Cpl. Domico headed north toward the location, PCO Bruns stayed on the phone trying to calm the distraught 49-year-old woman from Pylesville.

Upon arrival at the scene, Cpl. Domico spotted the sinking sport utility vehicle in swift moving water. Knowing he had to act quickly, Cpl. Domico waded into the waist-deep water. He was able to reach the vehicle and assist the driver, who was the only occupant, out of the SUV. Cpl. Domico helped her walk back through the water to dry ground. Neither person was injured in the incident. The vehicle remains in the flood waters at that location.

State, county, and municipal road departments have blocked flooded roadway areas across the state. Drivers are urged to heed those blockades and follow established detours. If drivers come upon a flooded roadway that has not been blocked, they are urged not to drive into the flooded area.

Before heading out this morning, drivers are urged to check the State Highway Administration travel advisory website at www.md511.org for the latest road closures and information about highway hazards, traffic crashes, and delays. The latest weather and other emergency information is available on the Maryland Emergency Management Agency website at http://www.mema.state.md.us/.