The Maryland Attorney General’s Office Independent Investigations Division (IID) has released body-worn camera footage related to a fatal December 3, 2024, vehicle collision in La Plata, Charles County. The incident occurred following a high-speed police pursuit that began in Virginia and crossed into Maryland.
The release of the footage is part of the IID’s ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
You can see the video on YouTube.com.
Incident Overview
The chain of events began at approximately 3:46 a.m. on December 3, when King George County authorities in Virginia reported an armed robbery at a local business. Deputies from the King George County Sheriff’s Office located a vehicle suspected of being involved, later confirmed as stolen, and attempted a traffic stop. The suspects fled, initiating a high-speed pursuit that crossed the Nice-Middleton Memorial Bridge into Maryland.
Maryland Transportation Authority Police joined the chase, followed by officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and La Plata Police Department. Stop sticks were deployed as the suspects traveled north on Crain Highway toward La Plata, and the vehicle struck them before colliding with another car near Charles Street.
Details From the Collision
The collision disabled both vehicles and caused multiple injuries:
- One suspect was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
- A second suspect was critically injured and remains hospitalized.
- The driver of the civilian vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
The Maryland State Police are leading the crash investigation, while the IID is focusing on the role of the officers involved. The decedent has not been publicly identified in accordance with juvenile privacy laws.
Body-Worn Camera Footage
The footage, made public on January 3, provides critical insight into the moments before and after the collision. It captures the deployment of stop sticks, the crash, and the immediate response by officers and emergency personnel.
This release aligns with Maryland’s commitment to transparency in incidents involving law enforcement. The IID has stated that the footage is part of an active investigation, and no additional details have been disclosed at this time.
Officers Involved
The IID identified the officers involved in the incident as:
- Police Officer First Class Jacob Shuar, La Plata Police Department, a two-year veteran of the Patrol Division.
- Corporal Tommy Johnston, La Plata Police Department, a 20-year veteran of the Patrol Division.
- Corporal Katie Bottorf, Charles County Sheriff’s Office, a nine-year veteran of the Patrol Division.
Investigation Status
The investigation remains ongoing. The IID is tasked with determining whether the actions of law enforcement personnel during the pursuit were consistent with departmental policies and state law. Further updates, including potential findings, will be released as the case develops.
Broader Context
This incident occurred less than a week after another high-speed pursuit involving King George County deputies on November 27, 2024. During that chase, deputies attempted to stop a vehicle traveling on Route 301 in Dahlgren, Virginia. The driver fled, eventually striking a deputy’s patrol car before overturning the vehicle. Authorities have not indicated whether the two pursuits are related, and investigations into both remain active.
