Trooper and Montgomery County Police Officer Struck

Type of Incident: Troopers and Montgomery County Police Officer Struck

Date and Time: January 17, 2017 11:43 a.m.

Location: Ramp from westbound West Montgomery Avenue to southbound Interstate 270 , Rockville, MD

Vehicle(s):

Vehicle 1: 2013 Chevrolet Cruze

Vehicle 2: 2016 Ford Explorer, marked Maryland State Police patrol vehicle

Driver/passengers(s)/pedestrian:

Driver Vehicle #1 Jeffrey Allen Newberger, 34, New Freedom, Pennsylvania

Driver Vehicle #2 Senior Trooper Joseph Ekani, assigned to the Maryland State Police Rockville Barrack

Passenger Vehicle #2 Trooper Brian Reilly, assigned to the Maryland State Police Rockville Barrack

Pedestrian: Montgomery County Police Officer

Narrative:
A veteran Montgomery County Police Department officer was stopped with a disabled motorist in a Toyota Corolla who was stuck on a curb at the Maryland Route 28 exit to proceed south on Interstate I-270. At this time, Senior Trooper Ekani and his trainee, Trooper Brian Reilly, stopped to assist the Montgomery County officer. Senior Trooper Ekani and Trooper Reilly stopped their marked patrol vehicle parallel to the curb, with all emergency equipment activated.

The Montgomery County police officer walked up to Senior Trooper Ekani’s driver side window to brief him on the situation. While the officer was talking to Senior Trooper Ekani, a Chevrolet Cruz came around the bend and struck Senior Trooper Ekani’s marked patrol vehicle in the rear. This collision caused the Montgomery County police officer to be thrown from the side of the patrol car and onto the pavement. The Montgomery County police officer was transported to Suburban Hospital for treatment. Senior Trooper Ekani and Trooper Reilly were transported to Shady Grove Hospital.

Newberger was charged by Maryland State Police with negligent driving and failure to control speed to avoid a collision. He refused medical treatment at the scene.

The investigation is continuing.