Police: Montgomery Co. sergeant loses use of legs after intentionally struck by 19-year-old reckless driver

BALTIMORE --  A Montgomery County Police sergeant lost the use of both legs after he was struck intentionally early Wednesday on I-270 in Gaithersburg, police said.

Officers arrested 19-year-old Raphael Mayorga, from Frederick, Maryland, and charged him with attempted first-degree murder, among other charges.

Sgt. Patrick Kepp, with the Montgomery County Police Department, was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Sgt. Kepp and his family during this time," Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones said. "He is surrounded by his family and friends and his co-workers."

Officers responded around 4 a.m. to the crash on Northbound I-270 north of Exit 12 to Watkins Mill Road after an attempt to stop a reckless driver, according to police.

An officer got out of his car to deploy stop sticks, which deflate tires, and was then struck by the driver of a green Dodge Challenger.

The car continued north on I-270 when a second officer successfully stopped the car with stop sticks. Police said Mayorga was driving in excess of 110 mph.

"The vehicle is observed intentionally moving from the middle lanes to the far left lanes and came directly at Sgt. Kepp as he was deploying the stop sticks," Jones said.

The collision initially shut down the highway with morning traffic backed up for miles. 

Kepp, 36, has been with the Montgomery County Police Department since 2014. He was serving in the Alcohol Initiative Department.

Police say tests are pending on whether he was under the influence.

Jones said Mayorga has been known to Montgomery County Police officers. He was charged in April for several traffic violations, including speeding and reckless driving in Gaithersburg.

Then, in May, police said he was arrested for driving 136 mph in a 55 mph zone on I-270.

"Sgt. Kepp has been well versed in this individual's driving activities throughout the past few years," Jones said. "The driver has been known to provoke officers into chasing him, particularly on our major roadways here in the county," Jones said.