Two Anne Arundel County police officers face criminal charges for allegedly misrepresenting facts in connection with a high-speed pursuit that ended in a fatal crash. The Maryland Attorney General’s Office announced the indictments of Officer Eddie Vasquez, 29, and Corporal Kieran Schnell, 27, in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County on charges of misconduct in office.
A grand jury indicted Vasquez on one count of misconduct in office and Schnell on two counts. Vasquez has served with the Anne Arundel County Police Department (AACOPD) since September 2020, while Schnell joined in November 2019.
Details of the Incident
The charges stem from a December 7, 2023, pursuit along Fort Smallwood Road near Curtis Bay, Maryland. According to investigators, Vasquez and Schnell pursued a white Infiniti sedan at speeds exceeding 100 mph, including over a two-lane drawbridge with a posted speed limit of 35 mph. The pursuit concluded at approximately 12:06 a.m. when the Infiniti crashed at the intersection of Fort Smallwood Road and Bar Harbor Road.
The crash resulted in the death of 22-year-old Damione Gardner, a passenger in the Infiniti. The driver was treated at a hospital and later released. Investigators found that neither officer activated their lights or sirens, informed dispatch about the pursuit, nor sought authorization to engage in the chase.
Investigation and Charges
Initially, the Anne Arundel County Police Department led the crash investigation. However, after discovering that its officers were involved in the pursuit, the department notified the Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. The IID, working with Maryland State Police, assumed control of the investigation.
The investigation revealed that both officers made false statements and omitted key facts regarding their actions during the incident. Attorney General Anthony G. Brown emphasized the importance of accountability in law enforcement.
“When police officers are untruthful during an investigation, they not only break the law, but they also undermine the principles of honesty and integrity that are the foundation of all law enforcement’s efforts to protect the public,” Brown stated.
Legal Framework and Proceedings
Under Maryland law, the IID is tasked with investigating police-involved incidents resulting in death or serious injuries, as well as any crimes related to police misconduct uncovered during such investigations. For incidents occurring after October 1, 2023, the IID has the authority to prosecute cases deemed to have sufficient grounds.
Both Vasquez and Schnell await further proceedings in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County. Criminal indictments are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
