State Trooper Hit By Suspected Drunk Driver On Capital Beltway: Police

BETHESDA, MD — A Maryland state trooper was struck by a suspected drunk driver early Tuesday morning while inside his patrol vehicle on the Capital Beltway.

According to state police, the trooper was parked in a work zone on the outer loop of Interstate 495 near Greentree Road in Montgomery County when the crash occurred shortly after 1 a.m. State police said the patrol car's emergency lights were activated at the time of the collision.

Police said a red Honda driven by 37-year-old Nithya Ramani of Montgomery Village traveled into the work zone before striking the rear passenger side of the trooper's patrol vehicle.

The trooper was uninjured in the crash, police said. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Ramani was arrested after troopers observed signs of impairment. She was charged with driving under the influence.

The crash remains under investigation.