Dana Elizabeth Briscoe, 63, of Hollywood
Dana Elizabeth Briscoe, 63, of Hollywood, is facing charges of second-degree assault, obstructing and hindering, failure to obey a reasonable and lawful order, and resisting or interfering with arrest after a May 7, 2026 traffic stop in Hollywood, according to District Court of Maryland records. A related traffic citation also accuses Briscoe of driving 57 mph in a posted 40 mph zone.
According to the statement of probable cause, a Maryland State Police trooper was parked on the northbound shoulder of Mervell Dean Road at Mosher Lane in Hollywood at about 5:22 p.m. on May 7, 2026, when he saw a black Toyota sedan traveling northbound. The trooper wrote that the vehicle appeared to be above the posted speed limit and that radar showed the vehicle traveling 57 mph in a 40 mph zone. The trooper then activated emergency equipment and stopped the vehicle on Old Three Notch Road at Mervell Dean Road in Hollywood.
The trooper reported that when he approached the driver’s side window, the driver signaled for him to wait while she grabbed a face mask. After putting on the mask, Briscoe opened the door and stated she “needed to get out of the vehicle,” according to court documents. The trooper said he ordered Briscoe to stay inside the vehicle.
Court documents state Briscoe began arguing with the trooper, saying he was getting his “spittle” in her vehicle and that he was “spreading germs.” The trooper wrote that Briscoe continued arguing about getting out of the vehicle and eventually exited without being asked. After being told to get back inside, she complied, according to the statement.
The trooper reported that he asked Briscoe for her driver’s license, but she continued arguing about him standing at her vehicle. According to the court filing, Briscoe then moved to the passenger side of the vehicle and exited again without being asked. The trooper wrote that he contacted her on the passenger side and told her to put her hands behind her back because she was being detained due to what he described as unruly behavior, failure to obey orders, and leaving the vehicle in a way that created an officer safety concern.
The statement says Briscoe then resisted commands by pulling her arms away. The trooper wrote that he secured one handcuff on her left wrist while continuing to order her to put her arms behind her back. According to court documents, Briscoe held her arms close to her body to prevent being handcuffed and then kicked backward, striking the trooper in the lower leg. The trooper reported that Briscoe was taken to the ground and placed into custody without further incident.
Briscoe was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center, where she was held pending a hearing before a District Court commissioner. Court records show a commissioner found probable cause for the charges.
At her initial appearance on May 7, 2026, Briscoe was released on personal recognizance with no bail amount set. The court ordered her not to engage in criminal conduct and to appear in court when notified. Special release conditions also ordered her not to intimidate, contact, or harass the trooper listed in the court paperwork as a victim or witness.
