Joppa Man, 68, Charged In Hit-And-Run That Injured Trooper
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A state trooper was hospitalized and a driver was arrested Thursday morning following a hit-and-run crash in Harford County.
It happened shortly after 9 a.m. in the southbound lanes of Route 152 near where it meets Interstate 95 in Joppa, Maryland State Police said in a news release.
Police said the trooper was inspecting a tractor trailer on the shoulder when she was struck by a pickup truck, which did not remain at the scene.
The trooper was airlifted to University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center for treatment. MSP isn't commenting on her condition at this time.
A second trooper who was assisting with the inspection witnessed the crash and stopped the GMC Sierra pickup about a half-mile away, police said.
Police said the driver, 68-year-old Lawrence Barnes of Joppa, was arrested on suspicion of failing to remain at the scene of an injury crash.
"The driver is facing a felony charge for leaving the scene of a crash involving bodily injury," MSP spokesperson Elena Russo said. "He's not only facing imprisonment but fines up to $5,000 and 12 points on his license."
The crash remains under investigation.
"Whether this is a crash that resulted from distracted driving or a moving violation still remains unanswered," Russo said.
Other drivers told WJZ the area where the crash happened is busy.
"You got 95 exit coming off here, you got Route 7 right down the street, you got Route 40," John Brooks of Belcamp said. "It's a main hub."
Brooks encouraged other drivers to take it slow and stay alert while driving along Route 152.
"Courtesy is gone, you know," he said. "It's hurry up and rush and get there. Where are you going?"
#jmvfc8 are on the scene of a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian on RT-152 between RT-7 and I-95 in #Joppa. The road is blocked. An @MDSP medevac is inbound to transport the patient. #HarfordTraffic
— Joppa-Magnolia VFC (@jmvfc8) March 10, 2022