Drunk Driver Hit Bel Air Officer, Drove Away: Police

BEL AIR, MD -- A Bel Air woman has been charged with DUI and other offenses after she allegedly drove the wrong way on a one-way street, then crashed into a police car, then tried to drive away, police said. An officer was injured inside the car, according to police.

Katherine Toscano, 28, of Bel Air, ultimately ended up crashing into an embankment and was taken into custody, according to the Bel Air Police Department.

Police said the incident began when Bel Air Officer Alex Maro stopped a dark-colored passenger car going the wrong way on a one-way street at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan, 3.

Toscano stopped, then reversed her vehicle into his patrol car, police reported.

Toscano tried to drive away, taking South Bond Street, turning onto Baltimore Pike and then Fulford Avenue, where she lost control approaching Churchville Road/MD 22 and hit an embankment, according to the report.

Police said Toscano got out of her vehicle and tried to run away but officers caught up with and arrested her.

She was charged with DUI, fleeing and eluding arrest and other minor traffic charges, according to police, who said Toscano signed the citations and was released.

The Bel Air officer was hit exactly one month after a suspected drunk driver in Montgomery County hit a policeman on patrol, who died from his injuries.

Officer Maro, a two-year veteran of the Bel Air Police Department, sustained minor injuries in Sunday’s incident and has returned to duty, police reported Monday morning.

See Also: Montgomery Officer Struck by Car Dies