Trooper Struck While Assisting Disabled Motorist On I-95

(Elkridge, MD) A Maryland State Trooper sustains injuries after his patrol car was rear ended by a passing motorist while assisting a disabled motorist this afternoon.

The trooper is identified as Trooper Tristen Phillip, 27, assigned to patrol duties at the Waterloo Barrack. He has been a member of the Maryland State Police for two years. Trooper Phillip was inside his marked patrol car on the right shoulder of southbound I-95 assisting a family with their disabled vehicle.

The driver who struck Trooper Phillip’s vehicle is identified as Rodney Irons, Jr., 31, of the 10,000 block of Inwood Avenue in Silver Spring. Irons was driving a black Dodge Stratus. Upon further investigation, troopers on the scene discovered Irons was driving without a driver’s license. Irons was transported by ambulance to Howard County General Hospital. Charges are pending.

The passengers in the disabled vehicle are identified as Ellen Pell, 72, the driver and Melvin Pell, 73, the front seat passenger. Mr. and Mrs. Pell, of Wilmington Delaware were the only the occupants in the disabled vehicle and refused medical treatment on scene.

The Maryland State Police Crash Team is conducting the investigation on this incident. The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly after 1:30 p.m. today, Trooper Phillip was dispatched to assist a disabled motorist on the right shoulder of southbound I-95, north of Route 100 in Howard County.

Trooper Phillip was operating a marked State Police patrol car and was parked on the shoulder with his emergency lights activated. He was on the scene for approximately an hour before Irons veered off I-95, onto the right shoulder, striking Trooper Phillip’s patrol car from behind. A chain reaction occurred resulting in the trooper’s patrol car striking the disabled vehicle.

Trooper Phillip was transported by ambulance to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center for treatment. Irons was taken to Howard County General Hospital by ambulance.

Troopers from the Waterloo Barrack responded to the scene. State Highway Administration was on scene assisting with lane closures. The Maryland State Police Crash Team investigation is continuing. Charges have not been filed at this time