FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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BALTIMORE, MD – Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the Saturday, January 17, 2026 fatal police-involved collision that occurred in Columbia, Howard County, Maryland.
On January 17, 2026, at 1:47 a.m., Police Officer First Class (Pfc.) Brian Maurantonio of the Howard County Police Department (HCPD) was conducting traffic enforcement in an unmarked police vehicle on U.S. Route 29 (Columbia Pike) when a Honda traveling at a high rate of speed passed his location. Using a laser speed detection device, Pfc. Maurantonio determined the vehicle was traveling approximately 84 mph in a posted 55 mph speed zone. The officer entered the roadway in an attempt to catch up to the vehicle. After entering Rt. 29, Pfc. Maurantonio activated his emergency lights and notified dispatch that the vehicle was failing to stop. Approximately 15 seconds after the initial notification, Pfc. Maurantonio advised dispatch that he was canceling the attempted traffic stop due to the vehicle’s high rate of speed. Moments later, the Honda crashed. Pfc. Maurantonio requested additional units and emergency medical services. As he approached the vehicle, Pfc. Maurantonio called out to any occupants but received no response. The vehicle caught fire. Officers on scene attempted to extinguish the fire but were unsuccessful. Personnel from the Howard County Fire and Rescue Services responded and extinguished the fire. The driver, identified as a juvenile female, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division (IID) began investigating the fatal police-involved collision on Saturday, January 17, 2026, and concluded its investigation on Monday, May 11, 2026. After completing its investigation and evaluating all the available evidence, the Office of the Attorney General has determined that the subject officer did not commit a crime under Maryland law. Accordingly, the Attorney General has declined to prosecute the subject officer in this case.
A copy of the IID’s detailed investigative findings and analysis of relevant legal issues can be found in its declination report.
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