UPDATE 12/16/2020: On Tuesday, December 15, at 5:48 p.m., officers responded to the area of St Charles Parkway between Gallery Place and St Thomas Drive in Waldorf, for the report of a hit-and-run crash involving a child.
A preliminary investigation revealed three children had just crossed St Charles Parkway, followed by an 8-year-old girl who was still crossing the road.
The driver of a pick-up truck, who was southbound on St Charles Parkway, struck the girl and fled.
A witness called 9-1-1 and followed the truck to a neighborhood in La Plata. With the assistance of the La Plata Police Department and CCSO patrol officers, the driver was located.
The child was transported to a hospital by helicopter with serious injuries that did not appear to be life threatening. At this point, it appears alcohol may be a contributing factor; however further investigation must be conducted.
In accordance with protocol, the completed investigation will be reviewed by the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office and charges will be determined at that time. PFC D. Walker of the Traffic Operations Unit is conducting the investigation.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has more information is asked to contact PFC Walker at 301-609-3251.
On Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at approximately 5:50 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of St. Charles Parkway and St. Thomas Drive in Waldorf, for the motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian.
Police arrived on the scene to find a female child laying in the roadway with serious injuries and reported the striking vehicle fled the scene prior to the arrival of First Responders.
Maryland State Police Helicopter Trooper 7 was pre-launched and landed nearby.
Witnesses on the scene reported the striking vehicle that fled the scene was a dark in color Ford F-150 pickup truck with damage to the front bumper.
One witness called 911 to report they were following the suspect vehicle which was all over the roadway and fleeing at a high rate of speed. The witness attempted to keep up with the suspect until he ran a red light and turned off all of his vehicles lights while driving at a high rate of speed on St. Charles Parkway in the area of Billingsley Road.
Officers located the vehicle parked and unoccupied on Tall Grass Lane in La Plata a short time later. Police started knocking on doors for information on who owned the vehicle.
Police located a woman who said her husband was the owner of the vehicle, and reported he was inside the residence. The male suspect exited the residence and was placed into custody upon admitting to the incident.
Maryland State Police Helicopter Trooper 2 transported the victim to an area pediatric trauma center with serious injuries.
Fire and rescue personnel on the scene reported the victim was between 9 and 11 years of age, and was struck and dragged underneath of the vehicle.
Officers recovered pieces of evidence from the scene of the incident in Waldorf, and from the pickup truck found at the residence on Tall Grass Lane in La Plata.
Updates will be provided when they become available.
