MOTORCYCLE CRASH INVOLVING POLICE CRUISER: On July 16 at 8:58 p.m., Officer R. Gottschall attempted to stop a motorcycle which had been traveling at a high rate of speed northbound on Crain Highway through Waldorf. Officer Gottschall followed the motorcycle until it stopped at the traffic light at Crain Highway and Mattawoman Drive in Waldorf, where he pulled alongside of the motorcycle, activated his emergency equipment and parked in front of the motorcycle.
Officer Gottschall exited his vehicle and told the operator, Donnell Reginald Harrod, 36, of Washington, D.C., several times to stop. Harrod turned the motorcycle to the left and accelerated between the officer’s cruiser and another vehicle stopped in the next lane, striking the open driver’s door of the cruiser. The impact caused Harrod’s motorcycle to roll over. He was apprehended, placed under arrest and charged with attempted fleeing and eluding and reckless driving. Harrod was being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the district court commissioner. Neither Officer Gottschall nor Harrod were injured.
FATAL MOTORCYCLE CRASH: On July 16 at 12:09 a.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to the 10600 block of Willetts Crossing Road in White Plains for the report of a motorcycle crash. Investigation revealed Raymond Aloysius Harding, 29, of Hughesville was traveling south when the motorcycle he was operating for unknown reasons left the roadway and overturned. Harding was ejected and struck a tree stump. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Speed appears to be a factor. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor at this time. Harding was wearing a helmet. Officer R. Glover of the Traffic Operations Unit is investigating.