WASHINGTON — Maryland state troopers are investigating a hit-and-run crash that injured a trooper early Friday morning along the Capital Beltway in Prince George’s County.
Trooper James Tegeler, who is assigned to the Forestville Barrack, was conducting a traffic stop at 3:30 a.m. While finishing paperwork in his vehicle, a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe hit the right passenger side of his patrol car. The Tahoe went down a culvert before striking a guardrail.
The driver — Christopher Wright, 31 — fled the scene on foot after the vehicle stopped. He was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, operating the vehicle in a negligent manner and failing to stop after a collision involving injury.
Tegeler was taken by emergency workers to Prince George’s County Hospital in Cheverly. He was treated and released, and recuperating at home.
Before he was arrested, Wright called 911 he’d been carjacked. State troopers identified him as the same man who hit the trooper earlier that day. He was arrested for DUI.
Due to the severity of the crash and the amount of debris, troopers closed the right two lanes of northbound I-495 in the area of Suitland Parkway. The road was closed for roughly two hours.
The investigation is ongoing.
