On Saturday, March 10, 2018 at approximately 1816 hours, MSP La Plata Barrack broadcasted a look out for a hit and run single vehicle collision involving a black Chevrolet Silverado that occurred in the area of Route 5 and Old Leonardtown Rd, Hughesville, Charles County, Maryland. Corporal W. Jefferson #5349 was on patrol in the area with Trooper A. Sabock #6924. They observed the lookout vehicle which had significant front end and rear end damage.
A traffic stop was conducted at the Shell gas station at the corner of Route 5 and Mattawoman Beantown Road. Contact was made with the driver, identified as Richard Grandzealous Gray, 42 yoa of Mechanicsville, MD. Corporal Jefferson detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from the vehicle. Corporal Jefferson had Gray exit the vehicle and noticed a minor child in the backseat who was not properly restrained by a child safety seat and suffered a head injury as a result of the collision. EMS responded and transported the child to CMRC for treatment.
Department of Social Services was contacted. Gray was arrested and charged with the following: 19742 TA 21 902 b2 I: (Driving, Attempting to Drive) Vehicle While Impaired by Alcohol While Transporting a Minor and 14571 TA 20 102 a2: Failure to Immediately Return and Remain at Scene of Accident Involving Bodily Injury. All events occurred in Charles County, Maryland. 18MSP010396
All persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. News releases are a service of the Maryland State Police.