Car Slams Into Maryland State Police Cruiser, Flips, Catches Fire

A Maryland State Police cruiser was sideswiped early Saturday morning by another car on Interstate 270 northbound.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services spokesman Pete Piringer said the cruiser was struck near Montrose Road at 6:40 a.m. Saturday. He said the other car rolled onto its side after hitting the cruiser and caught fire.

Piringer said Trooper Samuel Morris was stopped on the side of the road, conducting a traffic stop, when the crash occurred.

Piringer said Morris rescued the other driver, Stephen Shannon, 29, from the wreckage by breaking through the windshield. Shannon was transported to Suburban Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

At the scene, another trooper, Trooper Robert Geyer, "detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage" from Shannon's breath and person, according to a state police release. Shannon refused to submit to a blood test for alcohol.

Morris did not go to the hospital. The driver of the car that was part of the traffic stop was not injured and released from the scene.

Charges are pending for Shannon, and alcohol is believed to be a factor at this time, according to the state police release.

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