North Baltimore Journal

BALTIMORE, MD – The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Office of the Attorney General on May 23 released its investigative report of the December 2022 fatal police pursuit in Cecil County. 

On December 31, 2022, at about 11:30 a.m., Maryland State Police (MSP) received multiple 911 calls from motorists driving northbound on Interstate 95 in Harford County and Cecil County. Callers reported seeing a white minivan driving erratically on the interstate. At approximately 12:10 p.m., MSP Trooper First Class Kurtis Manuel, who was stopped in a crossover area along I-95 in an unmarked patrol car, pulled out behind a white Honda Odyssey minivan that was driving at high rates of speed and crossing into different lanes of travel. Trooper Manuel turned on his emergency lights and siren in an attempt to make a traffic stop on the minivan. The driver of the minivan, later identified as Julie Clark, failed to stop. Trooper Manuel continued to pursue the minivan northbound on I-95 for about nine miles. At exit 109 for Elkton, Ms. Clark lost control of the minivan on the exit ramp and crashed into a tree. Ms. Clark was pronounced dead on scene. She was the only occupant of the minivan. No other vehicles were involved in the collision. 

The IID concluded its investigation on April 27, 2023, and forwarded its report to the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office on May 1, 2023. The Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office notified the IID on May 4 of its decision not to prosecute the case. 

The IID’s report contains detailed investigative findings and an analysis of relevant legal issues. The IID’s report does not make any recommendations as to whether any individual should or should not be charged because the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office—not the IID—retains prosecution authority in this case.[1] By law, the IID’s reports must remain confidential until any related prosecution is completed or the State’s Attorney’s Office declines to prosecute. A copy of the investigative report can be found here.

Original source can be found here.