SPEEDING DRIVER KILLED IN CRASH ON RT. 100

(PASADENA, MD) – A man who was speeding and driving erratically when he was spotted by a Maryland state trooper refused to stop and moments later was fatally injured when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree late this afternoon in Anne Arundel County.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle is identified only as an adult white male. Troopers have been unable to establish his positive identity tonight. His body has been taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy. The driver was not the registered owner of the truck. The truck is not believed to have been stolen.

Shortly after 4:30 p.m. today, Trooper Justin Fohs, assigned to the Glen Burnie Barrack, was stationary on the shoulder of southbound Rt. 10, south of Rt. 648. As he was observing traffic, he saw a blue 1998 Dodge Dakota pickup truck come around the curve that was swerving back and forth within the travel lane. The trooper said he could see the driver rapidly moving his steering wheel back and forth, causing the truck to swerve. The trooper measured the truck’s speed with his radar unit at 82 mph in a 55 mph zone.

When the driver saw the trooper, he moved into the slow lane closer to the trooper and continued to cause his truck to swerve. As he passed the trooper, he lost control of his truck and went from the slow lane into the fast lane and his truck did a complete 360 degree turn. The trooper said the other drivers on the roadway all slammed on their brakes and stopped.

The trooper activated the emergency lights on his marked car and pulled up to the truck that was stopped in the fast lane. The driver of the truck immediately accelerated and drove away from the trooper. The trooper kept his emergency lights on and activated his siren.
The driver refused to stop and, at speeds in excess of 80 mph, passed vehicles on the left while driving in the highway median. His actions were forcing other drivers to swerve out of the way and caused some to drive off the roadway to avoid being struck by him.

The driver took eastbound Rt. 100 and continued to pass cars while driving through the median. He then swerved back and forth across both lanes of eastbound traffic on Rt. 100 at least four times before losing control and driving off the right side of the roadway. The truck struck a guardrail, traveled up a slight embankment, and turned onto its left side before the roof of the truck impacted a tree that was about 20 feet off the road.
Fire department and EMS personnel responded to the scene. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

One lane of eastbound Rt. 100 had to be closed due to the crash investigation. State Highway Administration personnel responded and set up a detour around the area. All lanes were reopened and the scene was completely clear shortly after 9:00 p.m.
The crash investigation is continuing and is being conducted by advanced accident reconstructionists on the Maryland State Police CRASH Team. A motive for the driver’s driving behavior has not been identified at this time.

Trooper Fohs has been a member of the Maryland State Police for five years. He has been a trooper for 2.5 years and was a cadet for 2.5 years prior to entering the police academy. He remains on full-duty.