Severn Woman Sentenced in Bar Brawl For Hitting Cop With Truck

SEVERN, MD — A Severn woman who drove a Dodge Ram pickup truck as she and a companion tried to flee a stabbing and brawl at the Firehouse Pub in Pasadena last December — striking a police officer in their attempt to flee — has been sentenced to a decade in prison.

A security guard suffered a 6-inch cut to his back while trying to break up a bar fight at the Firehouse Pub in Pasadena, then a police officer was hit by the fleeing suspects’ truck, authorities say.

Jessica Renee McQueen, 35, of Severn, was sentenced Tuesday by Judge Eileen A. Reilly to 10 years in prison for second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding uniformed police, and failure to stop after an accident involving bodily injury, authorities said.

"Our law enforcement works hard to protect our community, placing their own lives in danger every day. Here is just another example," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Wes Adams in a statement. "I am grateful to Judge Reilly for putting this criminal behind bars where she belongs."

The brawl was reported about 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 5, 2015, at the bar, 8514 Fort Smallwood Road. Witness said that McQueen and Zachary John Manley of Essex were in a Dodge pickup truck that was leaving the scene. As the pickup pulled out of the parking lot onto Fort Smallwood Road it struck an officer who was on foot.

Soon after, an off-duty officer traveling in the area spotted the getaway pickup, and several patrol cars stopped it. Manley was reportedly combative when ordered to get out of the truck, and police used a Taser on McQueen so she could be taken into custody.

Manley ultimately entered an Alford plea to the stabbing of the security guard with a knife. The plea means Manley doesn't admit guilt, but agrees there is enough evidence to convict him.

McQueen drove the pickup at a uniformed police officer even after being told by another officer not to move her truck, prosecutors said. Anne Arundel County Police Cpl. Larry Adams was struck by the truck, suffering shoulder injuries after spinning his body to try and avoid the vehicle.

McQueen was sentenced to one year for fleeing and eluding uniformed police, and for failing to stop after an accident involving bodily injury. This sentence will run concurrently to the 10 years she was sentenced for the assault.

»Photo of Jessica McQueen of Severn, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police