A Charles County motorcyclist was fatally injured Thursday afternoon following a collision with an off-duty Maryland State Police trooper at a new intersection in Charles County.
Police identified the victim as John W. Harding, 33, of Waldorf, Md. He was pronounced dead at Prince George’s Hospital Center where he had been flown by U.S. Park Police Eagle 1.
The trooper involved is identified as Trooper First Class Justin E. Zimmerman, 26, assigned to the Maryland State Police Crash Team at the College Park Barracks. He has been employed by the Maryland State Police for six years.
Shortly before 4:00 p.m., Zimmerman was off-duty, driving an unmarked state police 2006 Ford Expedition northbound on Middletown Road, when he entered a new intersection at Lexington Drive and made a left turn.
Harding was southbound on Middletown Road, operating a 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle as he rounded the curve approaching Lexington Drive.
The preliminary State Police investigation indicates Zimmerman was following a northbound school bus before turning left at the intersection in front of Harding. The motorcycle slid into the right rear of the Ford Expedition, causing Harding to be ejected.
Harding was wearing a helmet. The motorcycle caught fire after the crash. Zimmerman was not injured in the crash.
The intersection where the crash occurred is a new intersection where the road is still under construction. There is a traffic signal installed at the intersection, but it is not yet functioning.
The speed limit on Middletown Road is 30 mph. The speed of the motorcycle at the time of the crash has not been determined.
The State Police investigation is continuing. Upon completion, the investigation will be presented to the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.
This activity report was provided by a Southern Maryland law enforcement agency as a public service to the community. It is not a complete account of events, and all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in court.