Police Seek Driver Who Fled From Fatal Brooklyn Park Crash

BROOKLYN PARK, MD — An elderly Brooklyn Park woman died when a speeding car that eluded Anne Arundel County Police crashed into the car the victim was riding in, authorities say. The driver of the speeding Acura sped away when police tried to stop the car and ran from the accident scene; drugs were found in the car.

Police say at 8:48 pm Tuesday, patrol officer saw a 2016 Acura TLX traveling on Fourth Street when the driver failed to stop for the stop sign at Fourth Street and Edison Street. The vehicle continued on Edison Street faster than the posted speed limit. Officers tried to stop the vehicle at Edison Street and Second Street, but the driver sped away, failing to yield to the officer’s lights and siren.

Officers lost sight of the Acura as it crossed over Ritchie Highway and continued to accelerate south onto Morgan Road. As officers reached the area of Morgan Road and 15th Avenue they saw the Acura had collided with another vehicle and the driver ran from the accident scene. Several officers, including canine and police aviation units, searched the area, but were unable to locate the Acura's driver, whom police are still trying to identify. The car is owned by Sha’nika Shantrice Miller of Glen Burnie, officials say.

Investigators say the Acura crossed the double yellow center line to pass another vehicle and struck a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt which was attempting to turn right from 16th Avenue onto Morgan Road. The driver and passenger of the Cobalt were taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma with serious injuries.

The passenger of the Cobalt — Helen Marguerite Kotchen, 90, of Brooklyn Park — later died as a result of her injuries and her body was taken to the medical examiner's office in Baltimore for an autopsy. The Cobalt's driver, Stephen John Kotchen Jr., 57, of Brooklyn Park, remains in serious condition on Wednesday, police said.

Inside the Acura police reportedly found about 15.89 grams of suspected crack cocaine and $750 in cash. If anyone has information about the driver of the Acura, they are asked to contact police at 410-222-8755.

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