Police Chief Denounces 'Drunk Driver,' State's Weak Laws

GAITHERSBURG, MD — An emotional Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger denounced the drunk-driving suspect in the death of an officer – a suspect arrested several times before – and Maryland’s weak laws that do little to punish offenders.

At a news conference Thursday afternoon, Manger first thanked the public for its support of the family of fallen Officer Noah Leotta, 24, who died Thursday morning.

SEE ALSO: Montgomery Officer Struck By Car Dies Thursday

“The residents of this county lost a great cop, exactly the kind of police officer that you want patrolling your streets. A young man who grew up in Montgomery County and wanted to serve his community,” the police chief told reporters.

Leotta’s family is “absolutely devastated,” by his untimely death. He is survived by his “loving, wonderful parents” and a sister, as well as grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who will never recover from their loss.

“It was a preventable, unnecessary loss,” Manger said.

Suspect Luis Gustavo Reluzco, 47, of Olney, was arrested last week on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs after his car reportedly hit Leotta.

Reluzco was arrested twice before for drunk driving and a previous conviction for drug possession.

“(Leotta) was killed by a man who decided to smoke some dope, drink for four hours and get behind the wheel of a car,” Manger said. “This officer was killed serving the public, trying to prevent the exact crime that killed him.”

Leotta is the 36th person to die in a crash this year; all the victims are missed by loved ones, the chief said. In one-third of those fatalities, the drivers were drunk at the time of the crash.

Maryland has some of the country’s weakest penalties for drunk drivers, Manger said, which must be addressed.

Whatever the outcome of the case, “there is no justice for these families, there is no justice for these victims,” the chief said.

»Video courtesy of Montgomery Community Media via YouTube