Maryland: Struck by car, Montgomery County police officer fights for his life

When the police in Montgomery County set up their annual holiday task force to combat drunken driving, Officer Noah Leotta was one of the first to raise his hand for the assignment. The 24-year-old had helped look for drunk drivers since his days as an intern. “He’s passionate about getting them off the road,” said Officer John Romack, who trained Leotta.

On Thursday night, Leotta pulled over a car in the far-right lane of northbound Rockville Pike. He angled his marked car slightly, so the front would protect him as he walked up to the driver. He walked back to his cruiser, police officials said, opened the door and started to get in.

From behind, a 2012 Honda CRV slammed into the driver’s side of the cruiser, kept going and struck Leotta. He suffered life-threatening injuries and remained hospitalized Friday night.

“He is fighting,” police Capt. Tom Didone said. “He is in literally the fight of his life.”

Related Links

• Washington Post.com
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/montgomery-co-police-officer-struck-during-traffic-stop-remains-critical/2015/12/06/e3aaf170-9c45-11e5-8728-1af6af208198_story.html

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