A Maryland state trooper responding to a crime in progress call last night struck and killed a Delaware woman who apparently stepped into the path of the oncoming patrol car on an access ramp in Queen Anne’s County.
The victim is identified as Iraina J. Curtis, 29, of Dover, Delaware. Fire department emergency medical personnel pronounced her dead at the scene.
The trooper involved is identified as Trooper First Class Travis Nelson, 24, who has been a member of the Maryland State Police for six years. TFC Nelson is assigned to road patrol duties at the Centreville Barrack. He sustained minor injuries and did not require medical treatment.
There was a passenger with TFC Nelson last night who is identified as Jacolby Bruno, 24. He was involved in a ride-along with TFC Nelson. Bruno sustained minor injuries and did not require medical treatment.
The preliminary investigation indicates that just before 9:00 p.m. yesterday, TFC Nelson was responding to assist the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office with a call for a burglary in progress in the 100-block of North Lake Drive in Stevensville. TFC Nelson was westbound on Rt. 50 and took the access ramp to westbound Shopping Center Drive in Stevensville.
Jerome Wheeler, 20, of Magnolla, Delaware, was with Curtis last night. He told investigators that he and Curtis were sitting on the jersey wall along Shopping Center Drive waiting for a ride. He said Curtis asked to use his cell phone and when he gave it to her, she stood up and moved off the jersey wall.
The preliminary investigation indicates at that point Curtis apparently stepped into the travel portion of the roadway as the trooper drove down the access ramp on Shopping Center Drive. Curtis was wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans. She was struck by the driver’s side front bumper on the marked Maryland State Police patrol car.
The preliminary investigation indicates the trooper did not have his emergency lights or siren activated when the crash occurred. The speed of the patrol car at the time of the crash is not known at this time.
The investigation is continuing by members of the Maryland State Police CRASH Team, who are conducting a detailed reconstruction of the crash. The completed investigation will be presented to the Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.
Source: MD State Police
