Maryland: Police Officer Struck by Vehicle During Traffic Stop Remains in Critical Condition
A Montgomery County police officer is fighting for his life today after he was struck by a passing vehicle last night while he was conducting a traffic stop along Rockville Pike at Edmonston Drive. Police have identified the officer as 24-year-old Noah Leotta.
“Noah is not only a dedicated young police officer, he is a caring person who became a cop to serve the community where he grew up. He needs everyone’s prayers as he fights for his life,” says Police Chief Tom Manger.
According to police, the on-scene investigation by the Collision Reconstruction Unit detectives indicates that Officer Leotta was conducting a traffic stop in the curb lane of northbound Rockville Pike and Edmonston Drive. During the course of this traffic stop, police said a 2012 Honda CRV, traveling north on Rockville Pike, first struck the officer’s marked cruiser and then struck Officer Leotta, who was outside of his vehicle.
The driver of the CRV, identified by police as Luis Gustavo Reluzco of Olney, remained at the collision scene. Police said Reluzco was taken into custody under the suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Due to the seriousness of the officer’s injuries, police said Reluzco was required by Maryland law to submit to a blood test that will be analyzed for alcohol. Those results are pending, according to police. Collision Reconstruction Unit detectives continue to investigate the collision.
Officer Leotta is a 4th District officer who is currently working as a member of the Holiday Alcohol Task Force. Police said that the officers of the Holiday Alcohol Task Force devote their full time and attention to detecting alcohol-related offenses during the holiday season. Before serving as a Montgomery County Police officer, Officer Leotta interned with the Department in a unit that focuses on impaired driving enforcement.
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