Howard County Officer Charged with DUI in Hit and Run: Police

A Howard County corporal has been charged with driving under the influence and other offenses in connection with a hit-and-run in Prince George’s County, according to officials.

Cpl. Corey Britton, 37, has been charged with failing to remain at the scene of a collision involving injury, driving under the influence, driving under the influence while transporting a minor, failure to control speed to avoid a collision and operating a vehicle in a negligent manner, according to Maryland State Police.

Maryland State Police said that before 11 p.m. on Tuesday, a woman reported her Cadillac DTS was hit from behind by a Nissan Maxima whose driver appeared unsteady on his feet and left the scene.

The crash occurred at MD 202 in the area of Watkins Park Drive in Upper Marlboro, Sgt. Marc Black of Maryland State Police told Patch.

After the collision, the woman took pictures of her vehicle and the other vehicle, including the damage and registration information, police reported. She provided them to authorities and through the Motor Vehicle Administration, officials determined the Nissan Maxima was registered to Corey Britton.

Troopers went to Britton’s address in Upper Marlboro, where he ”appeared to be unsteady on his feet,” according to the report. He identified himself as a member of the Howard County Police Department and was arrested and taken to the Forestville Barrack for processing, the report said.

Britton was released from the barrack ”per procedure after signing the citations, which is not an admission of guilt,” police reported.

The 54-year-old woman whose vehicle had been hit in the collision was taken to the Prince George’s County hospital by EMS providers for treatment of injuries, the extent of which were not available, police reported.

Howard County Police Chief Gary Gardner said Britton was placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of an investigation into the incident.

“I have been notified that a Howard County police officer was charged with DUI by Maryland State Police last night in Prince George’s County,” Gardner said in a statement Wednesday evening. “Because this is an active case, I am unable to comment further on the details of the incident.”

Full Statement from Howard County Police Chief Gary Gardner

The Howard County Police Department holds its officers to the highest standards, both on- and off-duty. I have been notified that a Howard County police officer was charged with DUI by Maryland State Police last night in Prince George’s County. I am confident that the Maryland State Police will conduct a thorough investigation of all of the circumstances.

I have been in touch with MSP Superintendent William Pallozzi and the HCPD is doing all it can to cooperate with his investigators and provide any information and assistance they need.

Because this is an active case, I am unable to comment further on the details of the incident at this time.

The Howard County Police Department also will conduct an internal investigation into the incident, after Maryland State Police have completed their preliminary work.

At this time, Cpl. Corey Britton’s police powers have been suspended. He has been placed on administrative duty pending results of the investigation. Cpl. Britton has been with the HCPD since 2002, assigned to Northern District patrol.