State Trooper Charged With Drunk Driving in Accident

The Maryland State Police have charged a state trooper with driving under the influence after he was involved in a single-vehicle collision early Thursday in Elkton.

Trooper Thomas C. Hobbs, 26, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, negligent driving and reckless driving, the state police said. His police powers have been suspended, and he has been suspended from duty with pay.

Shortly after 12:30 a.m. Thursday, state troopers responded to the report of an overturned vehicle on Route 279, north of Appleton Road in Elkton, according to a state police statement.

The first trooper on the scene found the driver, the only occupant of the vehicle, still inside. The driver, later identified as Hobbs, showed signs indicating he was under the influence, the state police said.

Emergency medical personnel removed Hobbs from the vehicle and transported him by ambulance to Christiana Hospital in Elkton. Troopers issued citations to Hobbs at the hospital, where he remained Friday.

Hobbs is assigned to the state police’s Aviation Command as a rescue technician. The state police department’s Internal Affairs Unit will conduct an investigation of the accident.

Hobbs has been employed by the Maryland State Police for 17 months. All troopers remain in a probationary status until they have completed two years of service with the department.