Former Anne Arundel Cop Convicted Of Leaving Man To Die After Crash

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — A former Anne Arundel County police officer was convicted this week of leaving the scene of a crash that resulted in a man's death.

Alexander Rodriguez pleaded guilty on Thursday to one felony count of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and failing to remain at the scene, according to Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown.

Rodriguez pleaded guilty in exchange for a 5-year prison sentence, with all but 120 days suspended. He was also ordered to serve 2 years of supervised probation, including 100 hours of community service and an agreement not to seek a career in law enforcement.

A formal sentencing will be held on April 20.

“No one who endangers lives and then abandons a crash that resulted in a man's death on the side of the road should be allowed to wear a police uniform," Brown said. “We cannot keep our communities safe if we do not hold people accountable when they break the law."

Rodriguez's conviction stems from an incident that occurred on Aug. 10, 2024. According to prosecutors, Rodriguez, an Anne Arundel County police officer at the time, was on patrol and driving his marked patrol cruiser.

Prosecutors said Rodriguez followed a motorcycle, driven by Joshua Vanderziel, into a gas station in Anne Arundel County. Rodriguez attempted to use his cruiser to block the motorcycle at the gas pump, but Vanderziel drove around Rodriguez's police cruiser and left the gas station.

Rodriguez then initiated an unauthorized pursuit, ultimately chasing Vanderziel through Anne Arundel, Prince George's and Howard counties. The pursuit lasted approximately 4.3 miles, with both vehicles reaching speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour.

According to prosecutors, Rodriguez did not activate his emergency lights or sirens on his patrol vehicle, did not activate his body-worn camera, and did not notify dispatch or his supervisor to get permission for the pursuit. He also did not notify law enforcement that he had entered Laurel or Howard County during the pursuit.

After Rodriguez pursued Vanderziel into Howard County, Vanderziel crashed into a commercial flatbed truck that was turning left on Washington Boulevard. Vanderziel was thrown from his motorcycle and into the street.

Following this crash, Rodriguez slammed on his brakes, made a U-turn on Washington Boulevard, and returned to Anne Arundel County in the opposite direction of the crash.

"Contrary to his training and duties with AACOPD, Officer Rodriguez did not stop at the scene, did not exit his patrol cruiser at the crash site, did not provide aid, and did not return to secure the crash scene," prosecutors said.

Howard County Emergency arrived at the crash scene, where Vanderziel was pronounced dead. Rodriguez then returned to his patrol duties without notifying supervisors of the accident.

A formal sentencing for Rodriguez will be held on April 20.