Trappe – On May 15, two Deputies from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office were involved in a traffic accident on Ocean Gateway near Almshouse Road. At approximately 11:45 pm, the Deputies were parked side by side in the center median of Ocean Gateway monitoring traffic. A 2009 KIA sedan traveling west bound on Ocean Gateway moved from the right lane into the left lane and then continued into the center median striking the rear of a marked patrol unit being occupied by Sgt. J. R. Dobson, a ten year member of the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office. The KIA forced the marked unit forward and collided with an unmarked unit occupied by Dfc. Robert Mitchell, a five year member of the force. The KIA was operated by Corey James Tipton, 30 of Easton, MD, who was cited for reckless driving, negligent driving and failing to control vehicle speed to avoid a collision. Witnesses who had been following the 2009 KIA on Ocean Gateway stated that the vehicle had been operating erratically on the highway prior to the collision. Investigation determined Tipton was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol; however he admitted being distracted adjusting his radio while operating his vehicle. The accident occurs during National Police Week, a week designated to honor law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty. Statistics show approximately half of the police officers killed in the line of duty are traffic related. Both Sgt. Dobson and Dfc. Mitchell were transported to Easton Memorial Hospital where they were treated and released.
Joe says
Driving while playing with your radio will be the next thing to be baned. I guess you can’t regulate smarts!