A Maryland State Police (MSP) trooper was injured after a suspected impaired driver struck his cruiser from behind along Interstate 495 (I-495) in Silver Spring, Maryland, between 04:30 and 05:00 this morning, US Eastern Time (08:30-09:00 UTC).
The road accident happened on the inner loop of the Capital Beltway before University Boulevard.
Officials say the trooper was sitting inside the police cruiser while working on traffic detail when he was rear-ended while the impaired driver of a white Mercedes SUV, identified as 31-year-old Anthony Bowser of Washington DC, was speeding along the highway.
The trooper was temporarily trapped at the scene before emergency services brought him to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. His condition remains unknown, but MSP officials said he only suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Bowser was also transported to Suburban Hospital for treatment while awaiting charges as investigations continue.
Traffic delays
The MSP crash team remains on the scene to investigate the road accident. They advise motorists to find alternative routes as three left lanes and the left shoulder of the I-495 inner route at Exit 29 are closed to traffic.
