The trooper is identified as Corporal Brian Hirsch, 30, an 11 year veteran currently assigned to the College Park Barrack. Corporal Hirsch was transported by Prince George’s County emergency medical personnel to Prince George’s County Hospital due to injuries sustained when struck.
The driver of the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox is identified as Franklin Hernandez, 42 of the 5300 block of Greenway Drive, Hyattsville, Maryland. Hernandez failed to stop after the collision and refused medical treatment. He was charged on traffic citation with violations of the move over law as well as driving under the influence, failing to stop after a collision involving injury, and negligent driving.
The preliminary investigation indicates that just after 2:00 a.m., Cpl. Hirsch along with another trooper were conducting a vehicle search on I-495 in the area of the Greenbelt Metro Station. Both Maryland State Police patrol units were stopped with their emergency equipment activated on the right road shoulder. While conducting a search, a 2005 Chevrolet failed to obey the move over law, and struck Cpl. Hirsch while standing on the right shoulder. The vehicle was stopped a short distance later.
Once the driver of the Chevrolet was identified, Hernandez demonstrated signs indicating he may have been operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Further investigation was conducted and he was arrested for DUI.
This incident reinforces the importance on the move over law and the need for motorists to comply. The law is intended to provide an extra barrier of safety for police, fire and emergency rescue personnel, and on October 1, 2014, tow truck drivers. Motorists are required when approaching an emergency vehicle or a tow truck from the rear with its lights activated, to change into an available lane not next to the emergency vehicle or tow truck, when safe to do so.
If there is no lane available, the motorists must slow down to a reasonable and prudent speed as they pass the emergency scene.
How about the troopers properly pull vehicles off the side of the roads ,i have seen troopers stoo cars in the left and right lanes such Bs
ReplyDeletePlenty of times as I've come up on a police stop and see where and how the officer has recklessly positioned himself, regarding oncoming, possibly killer traffic, I think of the inattentive driver, the drunk driver that might be coming behind me. Nobody nor any job could get me out there without protection, risking my life unnecessarily. Common sense can take you a long way in life, assuming you're the chief and the lowly indian drivers will avoid and look out for you is idiot thinking. With the present license plate readers and dashboard cameras I'm surprised that cops continue to physically stop cars for minor infractions. Those two things alone would ensure a conviction in a court. Soon they'll send you your ticket by mail and forgo the actual stop. Soon there will be license plate readers everywhere there's a traffic light, so all l.e. agencies can track/global position our vehicles every move.
DeleteDamn just keep bringing more of them into this country. What do they care if they hit a trooper, let alone anyone else. I hope he gets sent back to where ever it is he came from.
ReplyDeletehope the search was worth it jackboot
ReplyDeleteMake more stuff illegal - criminals will still do it!
ReplyDeleteThe new law (like the current one) would not have prevented this accident....making stuff illegal doesn't really control actions...think about drugs and aliens.....
I do feel sorry for the trooper.
This is still a stupid law!
Pull off the road completely before getting out of your car. How hard is that to understand.
ReplyDeleteYup and then they walk in the middle of the roads pulling people over acting like nazis
DeleteThey are the lowest rung on the ladder. They don't like the pedestrian stops at all. Boss man says play in traffic, they either play in traffic or leave the force. I would have positioned my cruiser in the right hand lane, protecting myself and the citizen involved.
DeleteI'm on the cops side on this one. I have always moved over or slowed down for anyone working in the roadway or next to it and that includes crews or individuals working on power lines.They should burn that hispanics ass real good.
ReplyDeleteThey have a badge, I thought that made stuff bounce right off. How about their tactic of walking in front of vehicles traveling at highway speeds to keep us safe. I guess we're supposed to move to the ditch to keep them safe.
ReplyDelete