Pedestrian Struck by Police Car

UPDATED: Detectives from the Collision Reconstruction Unit continue to investigate a pedestrian collision that occurred last night and involved a marked Montgomery County Police cruiser.

The officer involved in the collision is being identified as Officer Drew Soldano, a seven-year veteran of the Department and currently assigned to the 6th District patrol division.  Following protocol, Officer Soldano is currently on paid, administrative leave.

The pedestrian is identified as Otto Reed, age 61, of the unit block of Water Street in Gaithersburg.  He remains in critical condition at a local hospital.

The circumstances surrounding this collision remain under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240.773.6620 or call the police non-emergency number at 301.279.8000. Callers may remain anonymous.

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A 61-year-old man is hospitalized in critical condition after he was struck last night by a Montgomery County police cruiser in Gaithersburg.

Here’s a police account of what happened:

“On Tuesday, May 20, at approximately 10:54 p.m., a Montgomery County police officer was responding to a call for domestic violence.  As he was driving on Chestnut Street approaching E. Diamond Avenue, he struck a pedestrian in the roadway.  He immediately stopped, made notifications over the radio, and began rendering aid.  Other Montgomery County and Gaithersburg officers responded as did Fire/Rescue personnel.

“Preliminary investigation indicates that the officer was responding with the vehicle’s lights and siren activated, the 61-year-old male was not within the crosswalk when the collision occurred, the vehicle’s air bag was not deployed as a result of the collision, and the officer was not injured in the crash.  Other factors surrounding the collision such as vehicle speed and the traffic signal cycle remain under investigation.”

Police have not released the identity of the pedestrian or police officer to date.

The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240.773.6620 or the police non-emergency number at 301.279.8000. Callers may remain anonymous.

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