Passenger with 102 Xanax Arrested After Fatal Howard County Crash: Police

ELKRIDGE, MD — Fleeing a traffic stop on MD 100 Monday morning in Howard County had a deadly outcome for one driver and landed a passenger in jail, Maryland State Police said.

Charges against the surviving driver in the two-vehicle collision are pending, according to police, who said that alcohol and speed appeared to be factors.

Natalia Diaz-Valle, 18, of Jessup, allegedly fled from a traffic stop after a state trooper on Route 100 clocked her 2007 Honda Accord's speed at 70 mph in a 55 mph zone Monday near Snowden River Parkway.

The attempted stop happened before 1 a.m. and when the trooper activated his lights, police said Diaz-Valle immediately accelerated and took the exit for MD 103/Meadowridge Road. The trooper followed the Accord's direction but quickly lost sight of the vehicle until coming across the crash on MD 103 east of US 1.

Biik Chong, 26, of Halethorpe, died as a result of the collision, officials said.

Chong was exiting a food restaurant parking lot when his driver's-side door was hit as he turned left on MD 103, according to police. Chong was taken to the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, where he was pronounced deceased, officials reported.

Chong's passenger, a 44-year-old Halethorpe woman, was taken to shock trauma for treatment of her injuries, police said.

Diaz-Valle and her passenger — Phillip L. Dorsey, 21, of Jessup — were also taken to the hospital, where police said they were subsequently released and taken to the Waterloo Barrack of Maryland State Police.

Dorsey was charged with possession with intent to distribute, possession of drugs and possession of paraphernalia after authorities said they found more than 120 Xanax pills hidden on him at the hospital. Officials were applying for a warrant to search the vehicle, which they said could lead to additional charges.

Charges against Diaz-Valle were pending further investigation and review by the state's attorney's office, police said.

Image via Shutterstock.