2 Deputies Injured, Man Arrested After Traffic Stop: Sheriff

BEL AIR, MD — Two deputies were injured after a traffic stop Thursday afternoon went awry in Harford County. Charges are pending against the driver, who was taken into custody several miles from where he was stopped originally, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office.

Officials said the driver dragged one deputy on Interstate 95 and hit another once stop sticks were deployed on a county road.

Before 2:30 p.m., authorities from the crime suppression unit said they had pulled over a vehicle on I-95 near the MD 24 overpass when the driver began pulling away as the officer approached the passenger side of the vehicle. The driver dragged Deputy First Class Austin Gentry, who has been a member of the Harford County Sheriff's Office since 2012. He was later treated at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center and released with minor injuries, according to the sheriff's office. After being dragged, Gentry got back into his vehicle and followed the suspect, officials reported.

Additional deputies and Maryland State Police joined in the response as the suspect drove onto MD 152 then turned right on Old Joppa Road, according to a statement from the sheriff's office.

Officers threw down stop sticks but the vehicle instead drove through the intersection of Whitaker Mill Road and Old Joppa Road, hitting a deputy and other vehicles in the process, authorities said.

Sr. Deputy J. Nate Gerres was out of his vehicle when he was hit, Harford County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Cristie Hopkins told Patch.

Gerres, who has been with the agency since 2004 and is on the warrant apprehension unit, was airlifted to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center for lower leg injuries, officials said. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The driver ran away and was taken into custody after a short foot chase, authorities reported.

PREVIOUS REPORT: A traffic stop gone awry resulted in two injured deputies Thursday afternoon, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office. One of the officers was helicoptered for treatment, officials said.

The deputies were involved in a traffic stop and pursuit when they were injured, according to authorities. One was airlifted to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, while another was taken by ambulance to Upper Chesapeake. Both were being treated for injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, the sheriff's office reported.

It was not immediately available where the traffic stop and pursuit occurred. Patch will update this story once that information is released.

Old Joppa Road was closed between Whitaker Mill Road and US 1 around 3 p.m. due to police activity.

The suspect, who was not injured, was in custody, officials reported at 4:30 p.m.

Old Joppa Road was closed between Whitaker Mill Road and US 1 around 3 p.m. due to police activity.

The suspect, who was not injured, was in custody, officials reported at 4:30 p.m.

INITIAL REPORT: A stretch of Old Joppa Road is closed Thursday afternoon near Bel Air. Deputies are handling an incident in the area, the Harford County Sheriff's Office reported around 3 p.m.

Old Joppa is closed between Whitaker Mill Road and US 1, according to authorities.

The closure is about 0.7 mile. Drivers should avoid the area.