Crime & Safety
Officer Struck By Suspected Drunk Driver on Beltway
A Montgomery County Police officer directing traffic at a Beltway accident site was struck by an alleged drunk driver.
A suspected drunk driver veered into a closed lane as traffic wound past a multiple-vehicle crash on the Beltway Tuesday, reportedly striking a Montgomery County Police officer who was directing traffic.
Montgomery County police were called about 3:50 p.m. to assist Maryland State troopers with the accident on the outer loop of Interstate 495 between the Connecticut Avenue and Georgia Avenue exits, the department says. Officer Francis McDonough, a 20-year-veteran of the department, was directing traffic when a Hyundai pulled out of traffic and into a closed lane, striking McDonough.
Police say there was a confrontation between McDonough and the driver, Reginald Eugene Taylor, 58, of the 2200 block of East Biddle Street in Baltimore. McDonough was treated at a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and released.
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Taylor was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and cited for failure to control speed to avoid a collision. Authorities say Taylor had a breath alcohol concentration of .22.
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