I-270

NB I-270 Closed Wednesday Morning After Police Officer is Struck By Driver

By MCS Staff

Update Per Montgomery County Police: “The following is a brief summary of events regarding a collision involving a Montgomery County Police Officer. At approximately 3:48 a.m., Montgomery County Police officers were attempting to stop the driver of a vehicle believed to be driving under the influence on I-270 NB near Watkins Mill.

A male officer exited his patrol car to deploy stop sticks, used to deflate tires of suspect vehicles on the roadway. As the officer was in the process of deploying the stop sticks, the driver of the suspect vehicle collided with the officer. The suspect vehicle continued northbound on I-270, where a second officer successfully deployed stop sticks, eventually bringing the vehicle to a stop.

Two people inside of the car were taken into custody. The officer suffered very serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. This is an ongoing investigation, and more information will be released when it is available.”

Original Report: Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a “collision involving a pedestrian” that took place at approximately 4am on Wednesday morning on northbound I-270 between exits 12 (Watkins Mill Rd) and 13 (Middlebrook Rd). WTOP has reported that the person that was struck by the vehicle is a police officer and that two people are in custody, including the driver of the vehicle.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the police officer was evaluated and treated for a priority 1, life threatening injury. As of 5am, the patient was “stable with serious life threatening injury, and being transported by Medevac helicopter.”

As of 6:27am, NB I-270 is closed at Clopper Road (MD-117) due to the crash investigation. All northbound traffic is being diverted to the NB local lanes. Expect significant delays. Seek alternate route.