Key Points:
- Deborah Saffran, 69, of Bowie was killed in Wednesday afternoon’s crash.
- Police said the suspect fled a traffic stop, but a supervisor ordered officers to stop any additional attempts to pursue him seconds later.
- The suspect remains hospitalized, and the completed crash investigation will be referred to prosecutors for possible criminal charges.
BOWIE, Md. – A 69-year-old Bowie woman was killed Wednesday afternoon after a driver fled a traffic stop and crashed head-on into her vehicle about a half-mile away, according to the Prince George’s County Police Department.
Police identified the victim as Deborah Saffran of Bowie. The driver who allegedly fled the stop was seriously injured in the collision and remained hospitalized Thursday with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Officers attempted to stop the driver near Lanham Severn Road and Driscoll Drive at about 2:45 p.m. because he was a suspect in an open investigation, police said. He initially pulled over before driving away toward 9th Street.
Police Supervisor Ordered Officers Not to Pursue Driver
According to the department, a police supervisor quickly directed officers not to continue trying to pursue the fleeing driver.
“Seconds later, over the police radio, a PGPD supervisor advised officers to stop any additional attempts to pursue the fleeing suspect,” the department said.
About a half-mile from the original traffic stop, police said the driver crossed the double yellow lines in the 12800 block of 9th Street and slammed into Saffran’s vehicle.
Saffran died at the scene.
A third vehicle was also struck during the fatal crash, but its driver was not injured.
The suspect was transported to a hospital. Police have not publicly identified him or disclosed the investigation that prompted officers to initially stop him.
Maryland Attorney General Declines Independent Investigation
Prince George’s County Police consulted the Maryland Attorney General Independent Investigation Division at the scene Wednesday.
The division declined to investigate the crash, according to PGPD.
The department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is now handling the fatal collision investigation. The agency’s Internal Affairs Division is conducting a separate investigation into the incident.
Once the reconstruction investigation is complete, police said the findings will be forwarded to the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for consideration of possible criminal charges.
No charges stemming from the fatal crash had been announced Thursday.
Police Seek Dashcam and Home Surveillance Video
Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or captured the suspect’s vehicle on a dashcam or home surveillance system to come forward.
“Even if you believe your footage may not be significant, it could provide valuable information to assist investigators,” police said.
Anyone with information can contact the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit at 301-731-4422 and reference case number 26-0045522.
The investigation will determine the circumstances leading to the collision and provide prosecutors with evidence to decide whether charges should be filed against the hospitalized driver.
The fatal collision happened shortly after the driver fled a police traffic stop.
Police said the crash occurred about a half-mile from where officers initially stopped the suspect near Lanham Severn Road and Driscoll Drive.
A police supervisor ordered officers to stop any additional pursuit attempts.
According to PGPD, that instruction was given over police radio seconds after the suspect fled the traffic stop.
The driver could face criminal charges after the investigation is completed.
Police said the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit will submit its completed investigation to the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.
Sources: Prince George’s County Police Department.
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