LA PLATA, Md.—The Charles County Sheriff's Office is reporting that a 27-year-old Lexington Park man was killed Sunday morning after he was ejected from a car, that was fleeing police at a high rate of speed, and subsequently struck by a pursuing police cruiser. The officer did not see the crash, which occurred on the other side of a hill, and was unaware of the man, Wallace Maddox, lying unconscious in the middle of the roadway.
The car chase began around 12:39 a.m. when officers were dispatched to the American Legion in the 4300 block of Livingston Road in Indian Head, Charles County, for the report of a large fight. When officers arrived, a Volkswagen Jetta was observed fleeing the parking lot at a high rate of speed. A lookout was broadcast and officers began searching for the car.
A short time later, police say the vehicle was spotted by an officer in the 3900 block of Livingston Road. The officer made a U-Turn and attempted to catch up with the car, which at that point had turned onto Pomfret Road. The vehicle continued traveling at a high rate of speed on Pomfret Road and was a significant distance ahead of the officer. As the Jetta crested a hill near Ray Drive, the driver lost control and struck an embankment, ejecting both occupants from the car.
Maddox was the passenger in the car. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The driver, 23, whose name was not released by police, was transported to a hospital and admitted with serious injuries.
At this point, police say it is not clear why the men fled the area at a high rate of speed. The Traffic Operation Unit is continuing the investigation.