LA PLATA, Md. - The Charles County Sheriff's Department has reported that a vehicle driven by a man who was allegedly drunk and high on drugs pulled a kamikaze maneuver against a patrol cruiser early Friday morning, nearly striking the cruiser head-on.
According to police, on Jan. 12 at 12:05 a.m., Officer C. Clevenger and Cpl. J. Martin were patrolling Livingston Road in Indian Head when a 1989 Chevrolet sedan traveling in the opposite direction veered into their lane and nearly struck their police cruiser head-on. Officer Clevenger swerved to avoid the Chevrolet, which continued to weave in and out of both lanes.
The officers were able to stop the vehicle near Hawthorne Road. According to the officers, the driver and the passengers were under the influence of alcohol and an illegal narcotic, possibly PCP.
One of the passengers, a 34-year-old Nanjemoy man, had severe facial injuries and was losing consciousness. Emergency medical services personnel responded to the scene and the injured man was flown by a Maryland State Police helicopter to Suburban Hospital in Bethesda. According to police, the man’s injuries appeared to be the result of a fight. None of the other passengers would advise police how the injuries occurred.
The driver, Harry Melvin Tibbs, Jr., 28, of Nanjemoy, was found to be in possession of cocaine, marijuana, and PCP. He was charged with possession of those narcotics and driving while intoxicated. Tibbs is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before a district court commissioner.
A third passenger, a 26-year-old Nanjemoy man, was not charged.
Officer Clevenger investigated.