Injured Trooper Airlifted from I-95 in Harford County: Maryland State Police

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A New Jersey driver is facing multiple charges after police said he hit a state trooper Sunday night when he crashed into a construction zone on Interstate 95 near Aberdeen.

Before 10 p.m., officials said that Christofe Taylor, 28, of Logan Township, New Jersey, was driving a 2009 Toyota Avalon on I-95 north at mile marker 84 when he allegedly traveled into a construction zone and hit the back of an unmarked police car that had its lights activated.

First Sergeant Robert Cummings was injured when the 2009 Ford was hit, and he was taken by medevac to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center for treatment, according to Maryland State Police.

Taylor was uninjured, police said. He allegedly told police he did not see the vehicle with its emergency lights activated.

Traffic was affected for hours following the crash. Interstate 95 in Harford County was closed in both directions near the MD 22 exit so a medevac could land on the interstate at 10:15 p.m.

By 10:35 p.m., authorities said I-95 south had reopened, while northbound lanes were blocked for response to the collision until 12:45 a.m. Monday.

Taylor was charged with drug possession other than marijuana (police said suspected ecstasy was found in a plastic bag on his person), marijuana over 10 grams, driving through a safety zone, failure to control vehicle speed on highway to avoid collision, failure to obey a traffic control device, negligent driving, driving on suspended out of state, possessing a suspended license and displaying a suspended license.

Cummings, a 14-year veteran of Maryland State Police, was assisting with a lane closure for road repairs at the time of the crash.

Officials advise drivers going through construction zones to focus on the road ahead of them instead of what is happening in the construction area.

"Much of the road construction in Maryland is being conducted at night, in order to reduce traffic congestion during the day," police said in a statement. "Drivers are reminded of Maryland’s move over law that requires motorists to move to an adjacent lane, if possible, or slow down significantly, as they approach and pass any emergency vehicle or tow service operator on the shoulder of a road. This law is intended to reduce the risk public safety workers face each day along Maryland roads."

Pictures from CHART traffic cameras.

PREVIOUS REPORT — Traffic was temporarily stopped on Interstate 95 in Harford County Sunday evening while a helicopter landed to provide medical transport following a crash.

The collision was reported on I-95 north before the exit for MD 22 before 10 p.m., according to state transportation officials. It involved two vehicles, one of which was reportedly a police car.

At 10:15 p.m., all lanes were shut down on I-95 — in both directions — so a medevac could land on the interstate, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

A state trooper was flown to shock trauma with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, WJZ reported.

By 10:35 p.m., authorities said I-95 south had reopened, while northbound lanes were blocked for response to the collision.

By 11 p.m., officials said the left lane on See the latest lane closure information from state transportation officials.

Pictures from CHART traffic cameras.