A Maryland State Police trooper was injured Sunday night when his cruiser was struck by another vehicle while the trooper was working a traffic control detail in a highway construction zone on I-95 near Aberdeen, State Police said.
First Sgt. Robert Cummings, who is assigned to the Police Communications Support division, was flown by a Medevac to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore for treatment of his injuries.
Cummings, who has been with the State Police for 14 years, has since been released from the hospital and is home recovering, State Police spokesperson Sgt. DaVaughn Parker said Monday morning.
State Police said the driver of a 2009 Toyota Avalon, identified as Christofe Taylor, 28, of Logan Township, N.J., drove into a marked off area and allegedly did not see the patrol car with its emergency lights activated.
Taylor, who was not injured, has been charged with CDS possession not marijuana, possession marijuana over 10 grams, driving through a safety zone, failure to control vehicle speed on highway to avoid collision, failure to obey traffic control device, negligent driving, driving on suspended out of state, possessing suspended license and displaying suspended license, according to the news release.
State Police said Cummings was working traffic direction in a marked construction zone on northbound Interstate 95 at mile maker 84. Shortly before 10 p.m., he was assisting with a lane closure for road repairs and was inside his unmarked 2009 Ford patrol cruiser with his emergency lights activated.
A preliminary investigation indicates Logan drove into the construction zone and struck the rear portion of the patrol car, according to the news release. "Further investigation revealed a plastic bag containing suspected marijuana and suspected ecstasy on Taylor's person," the release states.
State Police said drivers are reminded of Maryland's move over law that requires motorists to move to an adjacent lane, if possible, or slow down significantly, as they approach and pass any emergency vehicle or tow service operator on the shoulder of a road.
"This law is intended to reduce the risk public safety workers face each day along Maryland roads," the news release notes.
Much of the road construction in Maryland is being conducted at night, in order to reduce traffic congestion during the day. All sites are lit by signboards, directional arrows and police officers and are marked by safety cones or barrels, State Police said.
Drivers are reminded to obey speed limits in work zones and to stay focused on the road ahead of them, not what is occurring in the construction site. Their attentiveness will impact their own safety, as well as the safety of construction workers and police officers, State Police said.