Officer Who Died In I-695 Crash Was Off-Duty: Police

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — The police officer who died this weekend in an Interstate 695 crash was off-duty, Patch confirmed Wednesday.

The Maryland State Police identified the victim as 36-year-old Anthony Gregory Ward of Rosedale.

The Baltimore Police Department said Ward was an active member of the city's SWAT unit.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

"This is a terrible loss for Officer Ward’s family, his team members and the Baltimore Police Department on the whole," Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said in a press release. "My heart goes out to his loved ones. The Department extends its support and sympathies to them at this time."

State police said the fatal crash happened Saturday around 4:30 p.m. on the inner loop of I-695 before the Jones Falls Expressway.

Troopers said Ward was driving a 2023 GMC Savana van when he changed lanes and ran into the back of a 1989 Ford tow truck.

Medics pronounced Ward dead at the scene, state police said.

"Our deepest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and the entire community mourning the loss of BPD's SWAT member, Officer Anthony Ward," the Baltimore Police Department said on Facebook. "May he rest in peace, and may the memories he's created with his loved ones be eternal."

This map shows the area where troopers said the crash happened.