'Officer Bunk' Recovering After Being Hit by Vehicle: Police

ABERDEEN, MD — An officer hit by a vehicle Wednesday night during an investigation has been released from shock trauma, according to the Aberdeen Police Department.

Police said that at 10:48 p.m. on Wednesday, Corporal Gentile was reconstructing a crash that occurred earlier in the 700 block of West Bel Air Avenue when a vehicle headed south on Beards Hill Road turned left onto West Bel Air Avenue and hit him.

Gentile was wearing a reflective vest and standing outside his police car, which had its lights activated and was blocking the east lane of the 700 block of West Bel Air Avenue, police said.

The officer was airlifted to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he was treated for injuries to his head and lower body. By Thursday morning, he had been released to recover at home.

Officials said there was an outpouring of support for Gentile, a nine-year veteran of the Aberdeen Police Department and retired 25-year member of the Baltimore Police Department, who was beloved by residents.

"Corporal Gentile is well known for his positive interactions with citizens in the Aberdeen community. Many citizens affectionately refer to him as 'Officer Bunk' when they see him at local IronBirds games, where he is a fixture and known for handing out baseball souvenirs to kids in the stands," police said in a statement. "Corporal Gentile is appreciative for all the well wishes he received following this incident, and looks to return to duty as soon as possible."

The Harford County Sheriff's Office is handling the investigation and will determine whether charges will be filed against the driver. Authorities said that neither drugs nor alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Photos courtesy of the Aberdeen Police Department.