News Releases

Update: Officer Identified in Cruiser-Pedestrian Collision

For Immediate Release: Saturday, September 22, 2012

The Montgomery County Police-Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) continues to investigate a pedestrian collision involving a Montgomery County police cruiser that occurred Friday, Sept 22, at approximately 9:14 pm. near Watkins Mill High School in Gaithersburg.

The officer driving the cruiser involved in the collision has been identified as Corporal Raymond Bennett, an 18-year veteran assigned to the 5th District.  Following protocol, Corporal Bennett has been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.  Three other officers have also been placed on paid administrative leave due to their part in providing immediate emergency care for the 15-year-old female pedestrian who was injured.

The 15-year-old pedestrian, a student at Watkins Mill high School, remains in critical condition.

On Friday, September 21, at approximately 9:14 p.m., 9-1-1 began to receive multiple calls for numerous fights breaking out in the area of Watkins Mill High School.  A football game hosted by Watkins Mill High School against Clarksburg High School had just ended.  Eight officers that had been detailed to the game as a preventative measure also asked for additional police units on their radios as they attempted to control and move the large group of spectators off school property.  Additional police officers from the 5th and 6th Districts responded to the area of Watkins Mill High School.  As responding officers turned onto Apple Ridge Road (a street adjacent to the school) with emergency lights activated, a female pedestrian entered the roadway between two marked police cruisers.  The female was struck by the second of the two cruisers.  Officers immediately began administering first aid and the female pedestrian was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.

Officers have already spoken to numerous witnesses to the collision.  Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed this collision and have not talked to investigators to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 301-840-2435.  Callers may remain anonymous.

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Release ID: 12-221
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases