Driver Who Crashed Into Sheriff's Deputy Sentenced

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — The man police say attempted to run over a Harford County sheriff's deputy last fall has entered a plea in the case and been sentenced.

On Tuesday, Juan Quiroz-Manzueta, 22, of New York, entered a guilty plea in front of Judge Kevin J. Mahoney in the Circuit Court of Harford County to one count of attempted first-degree murder, one count of second-degree burglary, one count of attempt by driver to elude police in an official police vehicle and one count of failing to stop a vehicle after an attended property damage accident.

According to court documents, on Aug. 26, 2025, Harford County Lt. Robert Burgess saw a white Penske box truck being driven erratically on Route 136 in Harford County. At that time, Burgess activated his emergency equipment to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver failed to stop and led law enforcement on a 36-minute vehicle pursuit across multiple roads in the county.

During the pursuit, the driver of that vehicle, Quiroz-Manzueta, drove recklessly at unsafe speeds, crossed over medians and traveled the wrong way on several roads, including multiple times on Interstate 95, according to court documents.

Six cars were hit by Quiroz-Manzueta as he weaved in and out of traffic, attempting to evade law enforcement and failed to stop after any of those six collisions. During that time, other deputies joined in the pursuit, and Burgess, with the help of a Maryland State Police trooper, positioned themselves on Interstate 95 to deploy stop sticks in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

As Quiroz-Manzueta approached in the box truck, he deliberately avoided the tire deflation devices, striking civilian vehicles in the process. Burgess sought cover, but Quiroz-Manzueta deliberately hit Burgess’ police vehicle, swerved directly at him and hit him, sending him 30 feet through the air and an additional 30-plus feet down the asphalt, nearly taking his life, court documents showed.

Quiroz-Manzueta still didn't stop despite hitting the sheriff's deputy and continued to flee. Eventually, Sgt. Henize of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office halted the pursuit and safely conducted a Precision Immobilization Technique, which is a law enforcement tactic used to safely and forcefully stop a fleeing vehicle, guiding it off the roadway and into the woods.

Quiroz-Manzueta exited his vehicle, took off through the woods and managed to further escape being arrested. He managed to make it to New York where law enforcement arrested him in New Rochelle.

The investigation revealed that Quiroz-Manzueta burglarized the Applebee’s in Aberdeen and stole cooking oil from that location. He then attempted to steal additional cooking oil from the Royal Farms on Route 22. Both incidents occurred just prior to Burgess’ attempted traffic stop on the vehicle.

Quiroz-Manzueta was believed to be stealing the cooking oil in the truck, as well as the hose he used to siphon the oil.

He was sentenced to life in prison, all suspended but 40 years to serve.

“The sentencing guidelines in this case were only 15 to 25 years, which were completely insufficient for both the crimes the defendant committed that day as well as the amount of peril in which the defendant placed all of our citizens on the roadway that day. We are proud that we were able to obtain a sentence that is 15 years above the top of the sentencing guidelines and more than double the bottom of the range for the guidelines," said State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey at a press conference following the sentencing announcement.

Healey went on to commend investigators, officers and others who helped with the case.

"In addition, Harford County law enforcement and supervisors from all agencies countywide demonstrated sheer excellence in the team effort to bring this dangerous pursuit to a close. I cannot say enough how much I appreciate the sacrifices that our law enforcements make each and every day to ensure the safety of this county. They put their lives on the line for each and every one of us," she said.

"Most importantly, I am incredibly grateful to report that Lt. Burgess was able to be here with us today in court to address the court in a victim impact statement. He sustained significant injuries as a result of the defendant’s actions – a severe concussion and traumatic brain injury, a collapsed lung with 12 displaced ribs and one broken rib requiring nine metal plates, a dislocated collarbone, a broken left forearm requiring a metal plate, four fractured vertebrae in his back, road rash covering his body, two large lacerations on his head and additional internal bleeding. Despite those injuries, he thankfully survived this horrific incident. He will, however, be likely to deal with the lasting effects of his injuries for the rest of his life. His bravery and service to Harford County are to be honored," she said.