Cop Lost Both Legs After Car Crash: Trial Testimony

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The trial for a man accused of intentionally hitting a Montgomery County police officer with his car during an attempted traffic stop on Interstate 270 is underway, according to a report.

The jury heard closing arguments Thursday in the attempted first-degree murder trial of Raphael Mayorga, who is accused of hitting Sgt. Patrick Kepp with his car on I-270 on Oct. 18, 2023, FOX5 reported. Kepp had both legs amputated following the collision.

Mayorga is facing first- and second-degree attempted murder and assault charges.

According to police, Mayorga was speeding on the interstate — at times reaching speeds of 110 mph — while getting on and off the road, a tactic authorities said Mayorga has used in the past to provoke police officers into chasing him on major county roadways.

Kepp and other officers were attempting to stop Mayorga on northbound I-270 shortly before 3:50 a.m. when he got out of his patrol car to deploy stop sticks used to deflate the tires of Mayorga's vehicle.

As he was placing the sticks, Jones said Mayorga intentionally moved his Dodge Challenger from the middle lane to the far left lane to strike Kepp.

According to police, Mayorga continued northbound before a second officer successfully deployed stop sticks and brought the car to a stop.

A second person in the car was also taken into custody but not charged.

Following multiple surgeries at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center and rehabilitation at Walter Reed Medical Center, Kepp returned to work in June 2024 to train recruits in DUI enforcement.

During the trial, defense attorneys argued that Mayorga did not intentionally hit Kepp, according to FOX5. Instead, he saw the officer standing in the roadway, hit the brakes and tried to swerve.