COLUMBIA, MD — A police officer will not face charges in the Jan. 17 fatal police-involved crash that happened in Columbia, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced.
On Jan. 17 around 1:47 a.m., Police Officer First Class Brian Maurantonio of the Howard County Police Department was conducting traffic enforcement in an unmarked police vehicle on U.S. Route 29 (Columbia Pike) when a Honda traveling at a high rate of speed passed his location.
Using a laser speed detection device, Maurantonio determined the vehicle was traveling approximately 84 mph in a posted 55 mph speed zone. The officer took off in an attempt to catch up to the vehicle. After pulling onto Rt. 29, Maurantonio activated his emergency lights and notified dispatch that the vehicle was failing to stop. Approximately 15 seconds after the initial notification, Maurantonio told dispatch that he was canceling the attempted traffic stop due to the vehicle’s high rate of speed, according to prosecutors.
Moments later, the Honda crashed. Maurantonio requested additional units and emergency medical services. As he approached the vehicle, Maurantonio called out to any occupants but received no response. The vehicle then caught on fire. Officers on scene attempted to extinguish the fire but were unsuccessful. Howard County Fire and Rescue Services arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire. The driver, identified as a juvenile female, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division launched an investigation into the fatal police-involved collision on Jan. 17 and concluded its investigation May 11. After completing its investigation and evaluating all the available evidence, the Office of the Attorney General has determined that the subject officer did not commit a crime under Maryland law. Accordingly, the Attorney General has declined to prosecute the subject officer in this case.
A copy of the IID’s detailed investigative findings and analysis of relevant legal issues can be found in its declination report.
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