University of Maryland Student Arrested After Police Pursuit

A 19-year-old University of Maryland student was arrested by campus police early Thursday morning on charges of driving under the influence, attempting to elude police, and possession of false documentation.

According to university police spokesperson Sgt. Ken Leonard, police attempted to pull over a blue Ford Explorer at approximately 1:43 a.m., after it failed to obey a "No Turn on Red" sign at the intersection of Baltimore Avenue and Knox Road.

The car did not pull over, and continued to drive above the speed limit northbound along Route 1. Another police vehicle joined the pursuit before the car finally stopped for a red light at Paint Branch Parkway. One of the officers got out of his car to talk to the driver, but the Explorer drove away again before the officer could make contact.

The pursuit continued along Route 1 until Berwyn House Road, and ended when the driver struck a curb trying to turn left into the parking lot of the University View apartments. The driver pulled the car into a handicapped parking space and got out, keeping one hand in his jacket pocket and refusing to obey police orders to get back in the car. Police then told the driver to get on the ground. The driver instead began to approach the officer, at which point he was forced to the ground by police.

In addition to violating traffic laws and refusing to comply with police, the driver was also under the influence of alcohol, and possessed false documentation. He was transported to the Hyattsville Dept. of Corrections.

The car's only  passenger, an 18-year-old UMd. student, was also charged with false documentation, but was released with citations.