PG County Councilman Crashes Into Another Vehicle While Drunk: Police

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — Prince George's County Councilman Mel Franklin has been arrested on drunk driving charges after police say he crashed his Ford Explorer into the back of a Mercedes back on Nov. 21 and then left the scene briefly.

Troopers from the Maryland State Police Forestville Barrack were called to a traffic crash on southbound Route 4 at 11:34 p.m. Nov. 21 near Upper Marlboro. When they arrived, they found that a 2008 Ford Explorer had run into the back of a 2007 Mercedes S550, which was stopped at a red light, according to a report from Maryland State Police.

Medics transported 47-year-old Matthew Collins and 52-year-old Teresa Collins, the occupants of the Mercedes, to Prince George's Hospital for treatment of their injuries.

The driver of the Ford Explorer was nowhere to be found when troopers arrived, but a medic had seen him walking away from the scene and gave a description to troopers, who spotted him about 70 yards away walking in the center median. He was walking back toward the scene of the crash at the time, the report states.

The trooper identified the man as 40-year-old Jamel R. Franklin and confirmed that he was the driver of the Ford Explorer. Franklin is the Prince George's County Councilman who represents District 9, which covers the southern third of the county's land mass.

"Upon contacting Franklin, the trooper noted signs of possible impairment," the report states. "A further investigation led to Franklin’s arrest for driving under the influence. He was transported to the State Police Forestville Barrack where he was subsequently charged on traffic citations with driving under the influence, driving while impaired, negligent driving, and failure to control speed to avoid a collision."

Franklin was later released to a sober driver. The police will be consulting with the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office on possible additional charges.

Image via Prince George's County Council