Deputies Chase MD Man Driving Wrong Way, Find 3 Kids In His Vehicle: Sheriff

IDLEWYLDE, MD — A Baltimore County man is accused of leading deputies on a highway chase Friday through Frederick and Montgomery counties while he had three children in the vehicle.

Deputies said they arrested Cory Thomas Burkhardt after colliding with his vehicle and deploying non-lethal weapons on him as he ran away. Burkhardt, 37, is from Idlewylde, located in the Towson area.

A deputy with the Frederick County Sheriff's Office reported observing a vehicle traveling south on U.S. Route 15 near Rosemont Avenue and operating recklessly. A press release said the vehicle crossed the median and continued southbound in the northbound lanes of Route 15, creating an immediate threat to the oncoming motorists.

Deputies said they tried to stop the driver, later identified as Burkhardt, but he continued to flee and made several attempts to strike police vehicles and deputies.

Authorities said they twice deployed spike strips, but the vehicle continued to evade law enforcement and entered southbound I-270 while still traveling in the northbound lanes.

The release said a deputy used their police vehicle to force the suspect's vehicle into a guardrail, bringing it to a controlled stop, ending the chase near the Clarksburg exit on I-270.

The sheriff's office said Burkhardt initially refused to exit the vehicle, so deputies used non-lethal weapons to gain compliance.

Authorities said two children, ages 8 and 12, exited the vehicle first.

Deputies said Burkhardt then exited while carrying a third child, about 2 years old, and ran away while acting in a manner suggesting he was armed.

A taser was deployed to allow deputies to safely secure the child, the release said.

The sheriff said Burkhardt continued to resist arrest and tried to disarm a deputy.

After additional non-lethal measures, he was taken into custody, authorities said.

Burkhardt was taken to Frederick Health Hospital for an emergency evaluation while deputies were securing charges against him, the release said.

The sheriff's office said Burkhardt forced his way out of the hospital and ran away on foot, but Frederick Police officers caught him soon after and took him back to the medical center.

There were no serious injuries to the children, members of the public or law enforcement.

Authorities said these charges were filed against Burkhardt:

• Two counts of First-Degree Assault
• Four counts of Second-Degree Assault
• Disarming a Law Enforcement Officer
• Attempt by Driver to Elude a Uniformed Police Officer by Failing to Stop
• Attempt by Driver to Elude Police in an Official Police Vehicle by Failing to Stop
• Reckless Driving
• Negligent Driving a Vehicle in a Careless and Imprudent Manner Endangering Property, Life, and Person
• Failure to Drive on the Right-Hand Roadway of a Divided Highway
• Driving on the Median Strip of a Divided Highway
• Failing to Secure a Child Under Two Years Old in a Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat that Complies with Federal Regulations
• Willfully Disobeying the Lawful Order or Direction of a Police Officer

Additional assistance came from the Maryland State Police — Frederick Barrack, the Montgomery County Police Department and the Frederick Police Department.