ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. — Two juveniles—a 14-year-old male driver and a 15-year-old male passenger—were taken into custody early March 23, 2026, following a crash in St. Mary’s County after Maryland State Police attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle reported stolen through the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began shortly before 5:30 a.m. when a trooper from the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack spotted a black Kia Rio in the Willows Road area matching a stolen vehicle report. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the Kia fled. A second trooper later deployed stop sticks on Maryland Route 5 north of Mattapany Road. The Kia struck the stop sticks and crashed into the rear of the trooper’s marked patrol vehicle.
Both juveniles were transported to a local hospital by Maryland State Police Aviation Command for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. No injuries were reported among law enforcement or others at the scene.
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration assisted with traffic management during the response. The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the active investigation into the incident, including the theft, flight from police, and resulting collision.
This event underscores recurring challenges in Southern Maryland with juvenile involvement in vehicle thefts and related pursuits, though no prior connection to this specific vehicle or suspects was detailed in the release. The Leonardtown Barrack covers St. Mary’s County and surrounding areas, responding to calls involving stolen vehicles that often originate from local reports via partnering agencies like the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash occurred in a rural section of the county near Route 5, a major north-south corridor linking communities in St. Mary’s to neighboring counties. Early morning timing and deployment of stop sticks indicate efforts to safely terminate the pursuit without prolonged high-speed chase risks.
Authorities have not released further details on the juveniles’ identities, potential charges, or the vehicle’s theft origin, as the investigation continues. Outcomes for juveniles in such cases typically involve referral to the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services for processing, depending on circumstances.
St. Mary’s County residents, particularly in areas like Lexington Park and California near Route 5, may see heightened awareness around vehicle security and youth-related incidents following this event. The collaboration between state police, local sheriff’s offices, and aviation support highlights regional law enforcement coordination to address vehicle crimes swiftly.