COLLEGE PARK, MD – A Maryland State Police trooper was injured early Thursday morning when an alleged drunk driver plowed into the scene of an active traffic stop along the Capital Beltway, triggering a chain-reaction crash that left the trooper pinned between vehicles.
The incident happened just before 1 a.m. on the inner loop of I-495 near Route 1. According to police, the trooper had pulled over a blue Lincoln and was standing behind the vehicle when a silver Dodge Charger—driven by 42-year-old Damien Arnold Haman of Fort Meade—struck the rear of a second marked patrol car that had just arrived to assist.
The impact pushed the police vehicle forward, slamming it into the Lincoln and pinning the first trooper between the two vehicles. The trooper managed to free himself and was rushed to University of Maryland Capital Regional Medical Center. He was treated for injuries and later released. The assisting trooper inside the second vehicle was not hurt.
Haman, the sole occupant of the Dodge Charger, was arrested at the scene and charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, and negligent driving, among other traffic violations. He was taken to Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center for evaluation and later transferred to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections.
Authorities say all police vehicles involved had their emergency lights activated at the time of the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.
Key Points
- Maryland State Police trooper injured after DUI driver crashes into Beltway traffic stop
- Suspect Damien Arnold Haman, 42, arrested and faces multiple charges
- Crash caused domino collision that pinned trooper between vehicles
A routine traffic stop turned dangerous in seconds when a speeding driver under the influence smashed into a police cruiser.
