Man Charged With DUI After Howard County Police Car Is Hit

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (AP) — Howard County police say a driver has been charged with DUI after an SUV hit a patrol car in Ellicott City, injuring an officer.

The department said in a news release Thursday that 31-year-old Rodney Harris Jr. of Baltimore was charged with driving under the influence, driving without a license, and failure to change lanes for a stopped emergency vehicle.

Police say on Aug. 5, Pfc. Joseph Gallina was conducting a traffic stop on the shoulder of Route 100. Officers say Gallina was in his patrol vehicle with its emergency lights activated when it was hit by an SUV driven by Harris.

Gallina and Harris were treated at hospitals. Police say Harris' blood alcohol concentration was more than twice the legal limit.

It was not known if Harris has a lawyer.