Raphael Mayorga, 21, of Frederick was sentenced to 22 years and 60 days in prison, the maximum allowed by law, in Montgomery County Circuit Court, for a crash that resulted in Montgomery County Police Sergeant Pat Kepp losing both of his legs. Judge Harry Storm departed from the Maryland Sentencing Guidelines, citing the excessive harm caused, the victim being a police officer who had previously warned Mayorga, the State’s recommendation, and the heinous nature of the conduct.
In April, a Montgomery County jury found Mayorga guilty of second-degree assault, failure to remain at the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury, failure to stop at the scene, and multiple counts of fleeing from police. The charges stem from a crash that occurred in the early morning hours of October 18, 2023, in the northbound lanes of I-270. Mayorga was driving a Dodge Challenger at speeds exceeding 160 miles per hour when officers attempted to stop him using spike strips. Instead of stopping, Mayorga veered left and struck Sgt. Kepp, who had previously warned him about his reckless driving.
Following the impact, Mayorga did not brake and continued driving until officers deployed a second set of spike strips further north on I-270, which finally disabled his vehicle. He then exited the car and attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended by responding officers.
