CUMBERLAND — The cause of a Monday afternoon crash involving a Department of Natural Resources Police vehicle and pedestrian remains under investigation by the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, according to Sgt. Christopher Hill.
“The sheriff’s office is investigating a pedestrian that was struck by a Natural Resources Police vehicle in the 800 block of Valley Street, just outside the city limits,” Hill said.
The incident occurred Monday at approximately 3:30 p.m., according to a spokesperson for the Allegany County Joint Communications Center.
“The Maryland Natural Resources Police is cooperating with an Allegany County Sheriff’s Office investigation into a collision involving an on-duty Maryland Natural Resources Police officer and a pedestrian,” Vincent Dortenzo, public information officer for Maryland Natural Resources Police wrote in a statement.
Dortenzo said the initial investigation indicates that the officer, traveling west on Valley (Street) in the area of Old Valley Road, was in a marked 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 patrol vehicle. The officer crested a hill and observed multiple pedestrians in the road.
“The officer swerved to avoid the pedestrians but was unable to avoid making contact with the 27-year-old female pedestrian,” Dortenzo said.
The officer requested EMS and began to render aid until EMS arrived, Dortenzo said.
Units from Bowmans Addition, Bedford Road, Allegany County Department of Emergency Services and a county EMS supervisor responded.
The victim was transported to UPMC Western Maryland with non life-threatening injuries and discharged the same day, according to Hill.
The investigation is ongoing; however, preliminary findings reveal the pedestrian was in the roadway unlawfully, Hill said.
The officer was not identified.
“The identity of the officer may be released following the conclusion of NRP’s administrative review,” Dortenzo said.