Update: Officer Killed in I-95 Accident Identified
The officer was ejected from a police car, when he and his partner were pursuing a vehicle in connection with an alleged theft, police said.
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One Prince George's County Police officer was killed and another injured Monday when their cruiser crashed on southbound I-95 in Beltsville, according to police.
The accident happened around 1 p.m. near Powder Mill Road (MD-212).
According to PGPD Chief Mark Magaw, the officers had been pursuing a silver Acura TL in connection with a theft in the Laurel/Beltsville area when the cruiser left the roadway and landed in a ditch.
Officer Adrian Morris, the driver, was transported to Prince George’s Hospital Center and later pronounced dead. Police said Morris suffered head injuries when he was ejected from the cruiser.
Magaw said he was 23 years old and had been with the PGPD for two-and-a-half years.
The officer was also a graduate of the county's police academy and had been working with the police department since he was 15 as an Explorer in the Boy Scouts of America.
The second officer suffered "non-life-threatening injuries," according to police.
Magaw extended his thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of the fallen officer.
"This job is not an easy job by any means, but these officers were doing their duties following up on a theft," he added.
All southbound traffic was halted for several hours Monday as police conducted their investigation. Two lanes have since been reopened.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Prince George's County Police.
This story has been updated to reflect the officer's name.
Polly
4:21 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
My thoughts and prayers with the officer's family and friends who lost his life in the line of duty. How tragic and so very young.
Terry Szall
4:57 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Well, what are seat belts for? It's tragic that he didn't have his connected.
Colliemom
5:27 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
NICE! A young officer is tragically killed in the line of duty - and your response is to snark about it? What compassion and grace.
Sonia Dasgupta
5:51 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Police are still investigating whether or not he was wearing a seat belt. That fact has not been reported yet.
NeedRealNews
9:35 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Its tragic officers like this young hero put their lives on the line for people like Terry Szall each and everyday, no questions asked, then get this as a comment when they pass away. Your unbelievable, have some respect.
Terry Szall
3:45 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Well, guess who, in actuality, wasn't wearing a seat belt? His partner was wearing a seatbelt and survived. It's rare to be thrown through a windshield while wearing one unless the vehicle is involved in repeated "rolls". Of course this event is a tragedy, but one that might have been avoided.
Lauren Michelle
5:52 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
@ Terry Szall: It's tragic that you are this ignorant and would leave a comment like this without knowing the facts, especially considering that this death was the result of a high-speed pursuit. IF in fact he wasn't wearing a seatbelt when ejected from the vehicle, there was more than likely a reason for it. What's sad is your evident lack of any sense of dignity or respect for this officer, his family, and his friends. Shame on you. Also, next time you feel compelled to leave a sarcastic, disrespectful, unnecessary, and relatively illogical comment about a situation like this, consider using correct grammar. Sentences don't end with prepositions. Ponder that and find a better use of time than passing judgment on a situation you have never and will never encounter.
Jenn Benton
6:51 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
@Terry Szall,
I've been a Firefighter and EMT with the Prince George's County Fire Department for the past 6 years who has run hundreds of accidents ranging from fender benders to severe fatal crashes. Although I was not on this particular call, I can say that I've seen accidents where people who've had seat belts on have been partially ejected from vehicles, gone through windshields, sustained life threatening injuries, etc. If he was wearing a seatbelt, there's no way to say for certain if it would've prevented the outcome. So many different factors contribute to accidents like these and it's difficult to pinpoint any one cause. This investigation is still inder investigation right now and you have NO right to assume any of the facts until you have them straight. This hits very close to home for us in our department at this time and the sad part here is that people like he and I continually risk our lives day in and day out for ungrateful, selfish, and arrogant individuals like yourself. Now THAT is a true tragedy and unfortunately, a sad reality. I highly recommend you choose your sentiments a little more carefully next time.
Mark Elliott
7:45 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
I was on scene and the way the car looked, he could jabber Bergen killed with his seat belt on. People needed to stop looking for justification of his death. I have Sweden in my career just as many wearing their seat belt killed. Its traffic, lets giver him praise for doing his job.
Mark Elliott
7:49 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Jabber should be have, and Bergen should be been
Mark Elliott
8:19 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
7:45 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012I was on scene and the way the car looked, he could have been killed with his seat belt on. People needed to stop looking for justification of his death. I have Seen in my career just as many wearing their seat belt killed. It's tragic!!
Jim Groves
9:34 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
What is the county policy on high speed chases? They were chasing someone in connection with a robbery. Did they really need to be going that fast? It's one thing to lose a fine officer, but what if it was a school bus he hit? Seriously, not trying to be snarky or disrespectful. Just asking the question so maybe someone will actually look at the policy and decide if it's correct to prevent these tragic accidents.
NeedRealNews
9:46 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Yeah let's just ask the bad guy to stop politely, he'll listen right? And if not, just let him go no need to follow and risk anything, who cares if he kills someone. And let's stop using those uncomfortable handcuffs too, let's just use yarn, it's softer and almost does the trick. Unfortunately you live in a world with lots of bad people doing lots of bad things. Officers take steps to ensure your safety and the safety of your property, and I'm sure this officer knew his persuit policy as did his supervisors. Stop Monday morning quarterbacking this poor officer and have some respect for the rithteous people doing their job.
Gretchen Ward Waller
9:40 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Thank you Officer Morris for protecting us and our city! Prayers and hugs out to his family. :(