MSP Vehicle Involved in Serious Accident with 2 Senior Citizens

LA PLATA, Md. (April 1, 2016)—The La Plata Barrack of the Maryland State Police reported that one of its marked patrol cars was involved in a serious accident Thursday around 4:53 p.m. The vehicle was struck by a Toyota Corolla operated by a 76-year-old woman and occupied by an 84-year old man. All individuals involved were transported by ambulance to University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center in La Plata for treatment of their injuries.

Police say Trooper R. Truelove was responding to a 911 simulcast for a motor vehicle collision that had occurred on Maryland Route 5 in Waldorf. Trooper Truelove was traveling in marked Maryland State Police vehicle H-17, from St. Patrick's Drive, attempting to make a left onto northbound US Route 301. The vehicle's emergency equipment was active (lights & siren). As Trooper Truelove attempted to pull from the intersection into lane #1 (far left lane) of northbound US Route 301 (Crain Highway), his vehicle was struck on the passenger side by a 2003 Toyota Corolla that had been traveling on northbound Route 301.

The Toyota Corolla was operated by Rosa Lee Gibbs, 76, of Indian Head, and occupied by Carl Vernon Messiah, Sr., 84, of Fort Washington.

The investigation is being conducted by troopers from the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack with the assistance of members from the Maryland State Police CRASH Team. Anyone who may have witnessed this crash is asked to contact the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack at (301) 392-1200. The investigation is continuing. (16-MSP-012680)