What began as a late-night crash off the Baltimore-Washington Parkway in Greenbelt ended with a driver dying in police custody and state investigators now combing through what happened.
Shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday, United States Park Police officers saw a vehicle leave the parkway and crash into a wooded area near Southway, according to authorities. Officers got the driver out of the woods, placed the person in handcuffs, and escorted them to the roadway. While in custody, the driver became unresponsive and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. An infant who had been in the car was not injured, and no officers were reported hurt.
State investigators open a probe
According to a release from the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, the agency’s Independent Investigations Division has opened an inquiry into the in-custody death and is asking anyone with information to call (410) 576-7070 or email [email protected].
The division said Greenbelt officers were equipped with body-worn cameras and that it generally releases footage within 20 business days. That timeline can be extended when investigators need more time to interview witnesses or to give family members a chance to view the video first.
What officers reported at the scene
According to local reporting, United States Park Police initially saw what appeared to be a single-vehicle crash off the parkway near Southway and requested assistance from Greenbelt police. By the time Greenbelt officers arrived, USPP officers had already placed the driver in handcuffs and escorted the person out of the wooded area.
Prince George’s County Fire & EMS personnel then provided medical aid and took the driver to a nearby hospital, where the person was later pronounced dead. WMAR2News reports that the baby in the vehicle was not injured.
How IID's authority affects the case
Legislation enacted in 2023 expanded the powers of the Independent Investigations Division so that, for incidents occurring on or after Oct. 1, 2023, the unit can both investigate and prosecute police-involved deaths, a move supporters said was meant to reduce conflicts of interest when local prosecutors and police agencies work closely together. The legislative record is detailed in documents from the Maryland General Assembly.
What to expect next
The IID said it typically releases the name of the person who died and the identities of any involved officers within two business days, unless circumstances require more time. As the investigation moves forward, the division will continue gathering witness statements and reviewing body-worn camera footage.
The office’s Independent Investigations Division notes that it has handled dozens of police-involved investigations since 2021 and will provide public updates on the Greenbelt case as its probe continues.
