Denton Police Chief George William Bacorn Jr., 62, was killed Friday morning when a delivery truck crossed the center line on MD 331 in Talbot County and slammed head-on into his Chevrolet Tahoe. Bacorn, Denton's police chief for 36 years, was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to wmdt.com, troopers from the Easton Barrack responded shortly before 11:30 a.m. to the area of MD 331, also known as Dover Road, near Dover Neck Road for a reported crash. The station reported that Bacorn, identified as the driver of the Tahoe, was pronounced dead on the scene. Denton is located in Caroline County on Maryland's Eastern Shore, according to CBS Baltimore.
Investigators say the Tahoe and a Chevrolet Silverado were traveling eastbound on MD 331 when a westbound Ford Transit delivery truck crossed the double-yellow center line, according to Patch. The delivery truck first struck the Silverado's side mirror before continuing west and colliding head-on with Bacorn's Tahoe, the outlet reported. No other injuries were reported at the scene.
Driver Airlifted, Cause of Crossover Still Unclear
The delivery truck driver was identified as 31-year-old Antonio Jaquan Handy of Salisbury, Patch reported. Handy was flown by a Maryland State Police helicopter to a trauma center for treatment; the outlet's report did not specify why the truck crossed into oncoming traffic. The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the investigation, and per the same account, the road was closed for more than three hours while troopers worked the scene.
Once the investigation is complete, it will be presented to the Talbot County State's Attorney's Office to determine whether charges will be filed, wmdt.com reported. No determination on charges had been announced as of the latest reporting.
36 Years of Service Remembered
Bacorn had served as Denton's police chief for 36 years, according to thebanner.com. Beyond his hometown department, Bacorn also helped lead the Maryland Sheriffs' Association and the Maryland Municipal Police Executive Association, the outlet noted.
The Town of Denton issued a statement extending its deepest condolences to Bacorn's family and the police department. “We ask the public to please respect the family's privacy during this difficult time and keep his family, the Department, and the Town in their prayers,” the town said, according to wmdt.com.
Governor Orders Flags Lowered
Governor Wes Moore offered condolences to Bacorn's family and community and said the chief embodied a life dedicated to serving others and keeping communities safe, per thebanner.com's report. Moore ordered the Maryland flag lowered to half-staff in Bacorn's honor and asked Marylanders to keep his family, the Denton Police Department, his law enforcement colleagues, and the wider community in their prayers.
