Maryland Officer Run Down and Paralyzed while Deploying Spikes

Frederick Raphael Mayorga, 19, was arrested for allegedly barreling into Sgt. Patrick Kepp just after 3:45 a.m. Wednesday.

October 19, 2023

Sgt. Patrick Kepp received for the second time the Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s 24th Annual Law Enforcement Award of Excellence for Impaired Driving Prevention in December 2021.Sgt. Patrick Kepp received for the second time the Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s 24th Annual Law Enforcement Award of Excellence for Impaired Driving Prevention in December 2021.Montgomery County Department of Police via X

A 19-year-old Maryland man was arrested early Wednesday after the Dodge Challenger he was driving struck and severely injured a Montgomery County Police sergeant who was deploying tire deflation spikes. Police say the officer lost use of both legs.

Frederick Raphael Mayorga, 19, was arrested for allegedly barreling into Sgt. Patrick Kepp just after 3:45 a.m.

Mayorga was reportedly known to provoke officers into chasing him, so when he was spotted doing doughnuts, wildly getting on and off the highway, swerving and speeding up to 110 miles per hour, officers did not pursue the vehicle. Instead, they set up along the interstate from Clarksburg to Rockville.

"He intentionally struck Sgt. Kepp in the main lanes of I-270," Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones said at a press conference. He added that Mayorga continued speeding down the highway until his vehicle was disabled by spikes laid out by another officer, Fox reports.

Frederick Raphael Mayorga, 19, faces an attempted murder charge.Frederick Raphael Mayorga, 19, faces an attempted murder charge.Montgomery County Department of Police

Mayorga now faces charges including attempted first-degree murder. \Along with this case, Mayorga has several pending cases for "serious traffic violations," including driving without a license, Chief Jones added. 

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