DRIVER CHARGED IN HIT AND RUN THAT INJURED STATE TROOPER

(ESSEX, MD) – Maryland State Police today charged a Baltimore County man in connection with the hit and run crash early Sunday morning that injured a state trooper who was outside his vehicle on a traffic stop on I-83 north of Ruxton Road.

The suspect is identified as Matthew L. Wood, 30, of the 200-block of Highmeadow Road, Reisterstown, Md. He is charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident resulting in bodily injury, failure of driver in accident to render aid to injured person, failure of driver in bodily injury accident to provide identification, negligent driving, failure to move over or slow down for a stopped emergency vehicle, and failure to obey a traffic control device.

Wood turned himself in to troopers at the Golden Ring Barrack at about 9:00 a.m. today. His action was arranged through his attorney. After processing at the barrack, Wood was taken before a District Court commissioner, who ordered him held in the Baltimore County Detention Center on $275,000 bond.

At about 1:20 a.m. on January 15, 2012, Trooper First Class Jason M. James, 30, of the Golden Ring Barrack, was on a traffic stop on northbound I-83 just north of Ruxton Road. TFC James was standing beside the driver’s door of the vehicle he stopped issuing a citation to the driver, when he was struck by a northbound vehicle that continued from the scene and did not stop. TFC James was able to call for assistance and was transported to the hospital where he was treated and released. He has not yet been able to return to duty.

Maryland State Police investigators collected debris at the crash scene, which included pieces from a car mirror they believe was part of the passing car that struck the trooper. Troopers were able to determine the mirror was from a Buick LeSabre and the car was likely a gold or tan color.

Information about the injured trooper and the vehicle troopers believed was involved was reported by media in the Baltimore area. Media coverage of the incident contributed to the identification Wood.

State Police investigators have examined a 1999 gold Buick LeSabre registered to Wood. The vehicle is missing the passenger side rearview mirror.