State Trooper in Beltway Crash Remains in Critical Condition: Update

Updated at 4:55 p.m.

LANHAM, MD – The Maryland state trooper injured on the outer loop of I-95/495 in Prince George’s County remained in critical condition late Friday as investigators continue to work to determine what caused a New Jersey driver to strike several other vehicles before hitting the trooper's car.

The driver of the car that struck the trooper has been identified as Prasad Yadavalli, 60, of Galloway Township, NJ. He was taken by ambulance to Prince George’s Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.

Shortly before 2 p.m. Thursday, Trooper Ezra Ganeshananda, 26, of the College Park Barrack, was seated in his unmarked patrol vehicle on the shoulder of the outer loop of I-95/495 north of Route 450. He was investigating a crash that had occurred earlier and was parked behind a damaged vehicle and a tow truck that was preparing to remove the car.

At that time, a 2011 Mercedes Benz C300, driven by Yadavalli, reportedly struck the rear of the patrol vehicle and drove it into the vehicle in front of the cruiser. The Mercedes then came to rest partially in lane four. Simultaneously, a tow truck in lane four struck the Mercedes and drove it into the driver’s side door of the patrol car. Ganeshananda was trapped inside his vehicle.

Another tow truck driver passing by stopped and used his tow truck to pull the Mercedes off the patrol car so fire and EMS personnel could reach the trooper. Prince George’s County Fire Department personnel extricated the trooper and he was flown by Maryland State Police medevac helicopter to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.

Investigators believe the Mercedes driven by Yadavalli was involved in a possible hit-and-run crash on the outer loop of I-95/495 as much as a mile or more south of the trooper’s location. It is unknown at this time if Yadavalli caused that crash with one or more vehicles, or was struck by a vehicle that did not stop.

Witnesses told investigators that they saw the Mercedes driving down the right shoulder of the interstate before striking the rear of the parked Maryland State Police patrol car. The Mercedes was then struck by a tow truck and driven into the side of the patrol car. Troopers continue to work to determine why the Mercedes was traveling on the shoulder of the road.

Upon completion, the crash reconstruction and investigation will be presented to the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for review. It is not known when the investigation will be completed.

Trooper Ganeshananda joined the Maryland State Police in January 2015 and graduated from the Training Academy in July 2015. His brother is also a Maryland state trooper.

His brother and other family members are with him at the hospital. Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel William Pallozzi, Lt. Colonel Anthony Satchell, and a number of troopers are also at the Shock Trauma Center providing assistance and support to the trooper’s family.