Updated Provided On 2 State Patrol K9s, Trooper Involved in Crash

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — The two K9s involved in a crash that happened Friday are on the mend, along with the state trooper, the Maryland State Police shared over the weekend.

According to police, Heather Smith, 43, of Linthicum was driving a 2005 Isuzu Ascender Friday around 3:20 p.m. eastbound on Route 155 when she collided with the marked patrol vehicle driven by a Maryland State Trooper that was heading westbound on Route 155 in the area of North Earlton Road. Smith was taken to the hospital, the police report stated.

The preliminary investigation indicates Smith crossed into the westbound lanes of traffic and hit the trooper’s patrol vehicle, causing his patrol vehicle to overturn. The trooper was able to crawl out of the vehicle with the help of other people who stopped at the scene. Two K-9s, trapped inside, were extricated by Harford County Fire and EMS personnel on the scene, the state patrol stated.

Both K-9s were flown by Maryland State Police Aviation Command to a veterinary clinic in Annapolis. K-9 Topi, a Belgian Malinois, is currently receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the crash. K-9 Margo, a bloodhound, has been released and is currently at home recovering, according to the Maryland State Police.

The Maryland State Trooper involved is a 14-year veteran of the department. He is assigned to the Bel Air Barrack as a K-9 handler with the special operations division. After accompanying his K-9s to the veterinary clinic, he was taken by ground to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore and later released, officials shared.

Investigators believe impairment may have been a contributing circumstance in the crash. Charges against the Isuzu driver are pending the outcome of the investigation and consultation with the Office of the State’s Attorney in Harford County, the Maryland State Police reported Monday.

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