19-year-old accused of intentionally striking, paralyzing Montgomery Co. sergeant denied bond
BALTIMORE -- A Maryland police officer is paralyzed after prosecutors say he was intentionally hit by a car on I-270 Wednesday morning.
He was struck by the same person he had arrested on reckless driving charges earlier this year.
The suspect, Raphael Mayorga, appeared at the Montgomery County District Court in Rockville Thursday, where he was denied bail.
Mayorga is facing the rest of his life in prison after police say he *intentionally* hit that Montgomery County police sergeant on Wednesday morning.
The sergeant, who was trying to lay down spike strips to stop Mayorga's car, lost the use of both of his legs.
Mayorga was already on probation for similar charges when police said he tried to bait them into a chase on I-270.
"This is what he does. He does this intentionally to bait officers into chasing him, as if this is some sort of video game," said Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones.
Judiciary records show three similar incidents in Montgomery County in April and May.
Sgt. Kepp is listed as the officer who arrested Mayorga on May 26th on I-270, where Mayorga is facing multiple traffic charges, including reckless driving and eluding police.
Mayorga was allegedly driving 136 mph in a 55 mph zone.
Prosecutors said Mayorga was so well known to police that they called him on some occasions while driving to try to get him to stop.
"They knew who he was. He knew who they were, and he dared them to try to catch him," Montgomery Co. State's Attorney John McCarthy said.
On Wednesday, prosecutors say Mayorga admitted to driving over 100 miles per hour.
"If you can only imagine a vehicle of that size coming at you at about 100+ miles per hour, to me that's a whole different story," Jones said.
Police say it took three attempts to stop him using spike strips, which Sergeant Kepp was attempting when he was struck.
Not only was Mayorga on probation when Wednesday's crash happened, but he also doesn't have a driver's license.
Mayorga is charged with attempted murder and assault and faces the rest of his life in prison.
Mayorga turns 20 years old next week; that's when he's scheduled to appear in court again on that probation violation.
His preliminary hearing in this case is set for November 7.
At last check, Sgt. Kepp is still in critical condition at a local hospital.
