Drunk Driver Injures Trooper After Being Involved in A Hit and Run Crash

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NORTH EAST, MD.  –  When the operator of a vehicle is so impaired as to run into as to run into a stopped cop, then perhaps, just maybe, the driver was drunk. With Maryland’s feckless legislators too timid to put teeth into impaired driving laws, Marylanders will continue to be maimed and killed by DUI drivers. This is the latest story from the deadly highways of Maryland.

A Maryland state trooper is recovering from injuries sustained after his marked patrol car was struck by a vehicle operated by an impaired driver, previously involved in a hit and run crash, just before midnight yesterday.

The trooper is identified as Trooper Charles Tittle, 22, a four-year veteran assigned to patrol duties at the North East Barrack. Trooper Tittle was on a traffic stop inside his marked patrol car with his emergency equipment activated, on westbound Old Philadelphia Road, east of Butterfield Lane.

The driver who struck Trooper Tittle’s vehicle is identified as Sean Jester, 30, of the 100 block of Cool Spring Road in North East. Jester was charged with driving under the influence, negligent driving, reckless driving, failure to drive slow while passing a stopped emergency vehicle, along with other charges. Jester was driving a white Nissan Pathfinder.

The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly after 10:30 p.m. yesterday, Jester veered into Trooper Tittle’s patrol car from behind. Upon further investigation, troopers on the scene discovered Jester was involved in a hit and run crash, moments before striking Trooper Tittle’s car. The crash prior took place approximately five miles away at East Cecil Avenue at Mauldin Avenue, North East, in which Jester struck a parked car causing it to overturn. Officers from the Town of North East Police Department are investigating the hit and run crash.

Trooper Tittle was transported by ambulance to Union Hospital for treatment. Trooper Tittle has been released and is on medical leave.

Troopers from the North East Barrack continue the investigation.

I-95 MD State Trooper Crash 123115 Photo courtesy of NBC 4 News

Trooper Struck While Assisting Disabled Motorist On I-95

(Elkridge, MD) December 31, 2015 — A Maryland State Trooper sustains injuries after his patrol car was rear ended by a passing motorist while assisting a disabled motorist this afternoon.

The trooper is identified as Trooper Tristen Phillip, 27, assigned to patrol duties at the Waterloo Barrack.  He has been a member of the Maryland State Police for two years.  Trooper Phillip was inside his marked patrol car on the right shoulder of southbound I-95 assisting a family with their disabled vehicle.

The driver who struck Trooper Phillip’s vehicle is identified as Rodney Irons Jr., 31, of the 10,000 block of Inwood Avenue in Silver Spring. Irons was driving a black Dodge Stratus. Upon further investigation, troopers on the scene discovered Irons was driving without a driver’s license. Irons was transported by ambulance to Howard County General Hospital. Charges are pending.

The passengers in the disabled vehicle are identified as Ellen Pell, 72, the driver and Melvin Pell, 73, the front seat passenger. Mr. and Mrs. Pell, of Wilmington Delaware were the only the occupants in the disabled vehicle and refused medical treatment on scene.

The Maryland State Police Crash Team is conducting the investigation on this incident. The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly after 1:30 p.m. today, Trooper Phillip was dispatched to assist a disabled motorist on the right shoulder of southbound I-95, north of Route 100 in Howard County.

Trooper Phillip was operating a marked State Police patrol car and was parked on the shoulder with his emergency lights activated. He was on the scene for approximately an hour before Irons veered off I-95, onto the right shoulder, striking Trooper Phillip’s patrol car from behind. A chain reaction occurred resulting in the trooper’s patrol car striking the disabled vehicle.

Trooper Phillip was transported by ambulance to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center for treatment. Irons was taken to Howard County General Hospital by ambulance.

Troopers from the Waterloo Barrack responded to the scene. State Highway Administration was on scene assisting with lane closures. The Maryland State Police Crash Team investigation is continuing. Charges have not been filed at this time.