Drunk Driver Crashes into State Trooper's Car, 2 Injured: Police

Gaithersburg, MD — Charges are pending against a possibly drunk driver whose SUV swerved into a Maryland State Police patrol car during a traffic stop, pinning the officer inside, officials say.

The crash happened just before 7 a.m. Saturday on northbound Interstate 270 south of Shady Grove Road in Gaithersburg, state police say.

A Maryland State trooper from the Rockville Barrack was on a traffic stop with a 2007 Acura TL on the left shoulder of northbound Interstate 270 south of Shady Grove Road in Gaithersburg.

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A 2005 Lexus SUV struck the 2014 Chevrolet Caprice patrol vehicle in the rear, causing it to strike the Acura that the trooper had stopped, police say. Witnesses said the driver of the Lexus veered from the travel lanes to the left shoulder, where she struck the rear and driver’s side of the patrol vehicle.

The state trooper was trapped inside the vehicle and the driver of the Lexus – who police have not yet identified -- was injured during the crash. The Acura was occupied by a driver and three passengers who reported no injuries.

Montgomery County Fire and EMS responded to the scene to extricate the trooper, who was flown from the scene to University of Maryland Shock Trauma in Baltimore.

The driver of the Lexus was taken to Suburban Hospital for treatment. The occupants of the Acura, which included two young childnre, were taken to Shady Grove Hospital as a precaution, authorities said.

The main lanes of northbound Interstate 270 were shut down in the area of MD 28 (West Montgomery Road) and traffic was diverted to the local lanes. All lanes of Interstate 270 have been reopened and there are no delays in the area.

The driver of the Lexus is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor, state police said. The collision is still under investigation and charges are pending.