MARYLAND TROOPER ESCAPES INJURY IN CRASH ON ICY HIGHWAY

A Maryland State Police trooper escaped serious injury Sunday evening when his police cruiser was struck in the rear on eastbound Interstate 68 near U.S. Route 219 south. Tfc. D.T. Wagoner suffered minor injuries in the 6:55 p.m. accident and was taken to Garrett Memorial Hospital where he was released after receiving medical treatment.

The trooper had just investigated an accident and was in the "process of clearing a crash that he had investigated" when he observed a vehicle approaching from the rear, according to Sgt. M.W. Jones of the McHenry barrack.

Wagoner, whose vehicle was parked in the far left lane of the interstate, placed his patrol car in "drive" and attempted to accelerate forward to get away from the oncoming vehicle.

However, due to the snow-covered roadway, the patrol car was barely able to move forward before it was struck in the rear by a 2002 Nissan Xterra operated by Anthony J. Feghali, 20, of Morgantown, W.Va., police said. Feghali, who was not injured, was cited for failing to control his vehicle speed to avoid a collision.

Feghali drove his vehicle from the scene. The disabled police cruiser was towed to the McHenry barrack.