A Howard County police officer was injured early Sunday when his patrol car was struck by driver suspected to be under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Officer Mike Marino was flown to Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he is in stable condition, police said. The driver of the other vehicle, Richar Antiguas, 34, of Laurel, also was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition.
Police said Marino was sitting inside his vehicle with his emergency lights activated around 4:30 a.m. on Route 29 near Old Columbia Road when Antiguas, who was driving a 2005 Nissan Murano, allegedly struck Marino's patrol car.
Marino, a 9-year veteran, was responding to the scene of an accident involving a Takoma Park police officer, who had struck a deer. The accident occurred just over the Montgomery County line.
Investigators suspect Antiguas was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana at the time of the accident. Charges had not been filed Sunday afternoon.
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