Drunk Trooper Charged After Crash: State Police

CECILTON, MD – A Maryland State Police officer has been suspended and cited for drunk driving after a crash in Cecilton, authorities say. Trooper First Class Tanner Nickerson, who is assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, was charged with driving under the influence, driving while impaired, failure to control speed to avoid a collision, reckless driving and negligent driving following the accident, authorities said.

Shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday, Maryland State Police from the North East Barrack were called to a crash in the 200-block of North Bohemia Ave. (Rt. 213) in Cecilton. Troopers found a Mercedes passenger car and a marked Maryland State Police Chevrolet Tahoe had been involved in an accident.

Investigators say Nickerson, who was off duty, was northbound on Rt. 213, when he failed to slow down and ran into the back of the Mercedes, which was also northbound. The 49-year-old driver of the Mercedes, a woman from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and her 10-year-old passenger, were taken to Union Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The trooper was not injured.

The trooper investigating the crash reported that Nickerson showed signs of impairment at the crash scene, and he was arrested. He was taken to the North East Barrack for processing and, after receiving traffic citations, was later released to a sober driver, authorities said.

Witnesses said the emergency lights on Nickerson's police vehicle were activated but officials say he was off-duty and was not responding to a call.

In addition to the charges being placed against him, TFC Nickerson was suspended with pay, as is Maryland State Police procedure. He has been a member of the Maryland State Police for six years.

Patch file photo