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New Md. State Trooper Jumps Barrier, Avoids Crash

BALTIMORE (AP) -- A new Maryland state trooper is recounting a close call with a car while on a call on Interstate 95.

Thaddeus Allen was just a week out of his graduation from the police academy on Friday when he was forced to jump over a concrete divider to avoid a car that crashed into the back of his cruiser that was stopped on side of the highway.

The 27-year-old says he was taught at the police academy that other cars on the road represent one of the biggest dangers to troopers.

Authorities say the driver of the car, Scott A. Schwartz, 27, of Baltimore, has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless and negligent driving and failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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