16-Year-Old Struck, Killed By Police Car In PG County: Report

BRANDYWINE, MD -- A 16-year-old boy has died after being struck by a Metro Transit Police vehicle in Brandywine on Monday, according to a report.

A Metro Transit Police K-9 unit was traveling in a marked vehicle on northbound Crain Highway (Route 301) at Chadds Ford Drive in Brandywine at 1 p.m. when it struck a pedestrian crossing in the roadway, according to a report from Maryland State Police. The report does not list the victim's name or age, but a Fox 5 report indicates the pedestrian was 16 years old.

"The officer involved is identified as Gary L. Bottalico," the report states. "He was uninjured in the incident and is a sworn officer of the Metro Transit Police Department, assigned to the K9 Unit. Bottalico was off duty, on his way into work. He was operating his agency issued, marked Chevy Silverado pickup truck at the time of the incident."

The boy walked "into the street into oncoming traffic, directly into the path of the approaching patrol car" for "reasons unknown at this time," the report adds.

The officer was placed on administrative paid leave, which is routine in such circumstances.

The road was closed for five hours during the investigation.

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