Driver's Leg Amputated in Crash; Trooper Likely Saved Life

Calverton, MD — A man whose leg was amputated when he was struck by a car on the side of Interstate 95 would likely have died without quick intervention by a Maryland state trooper, officials said Monday.

Trooper Quincy Pinkney of the College Park Barrack is being commended for his emergency first aid that helped save the life of a driver who was trying to fix his disabled vehicle when he was struck on the road in Prince George’s County last week.

The serious crash happened about 2:30 a.m. on June 21 along the left shoulder of the ramp from northbound I-95 to Route 200, the Intercounty Connector.

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Investigators say a 24-year-old man from Oxon Hill was standing behind his 2000 BMW attempting to repair it after the car broke down. The driver of a 2004 Oldsmobile, a 29-year-old man from Silver Spring, was northbound I-95 onto the ICC when he apparently fell asleep and struck the disabled vehicle driver and his car.

When Trooper Pinkney arrived, he found the crash impact had amputated the leg of the BMW driver, state police say. Knowing the life-threatening potential of that type of injury, Pinkney took a belt from the driver of the striking vehicle and used it to apply a tourniquet to the victim’s injured leg to slow the blood loss.

EMS personnel took the victim to Prince George’s Hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

Paramedics told State Police the victim would likely have died at the scene if Pinkney had not reacted quickly and effectively applied the tourniquet.

Trooper Pinkney’s barrack commander plans to recommend him for the Maryland State Police Lifesaving Award.