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Charges Filed Against Driver Who Fatally Struck Maryland Officer

ROCKVILLE, Md. (WJZ)-- An emotional plea from the father of a Montgomery County Police officer killed by a suspected drunk driver.

Pat Warren has more on the bond hearing held for the man charged in the deadly accident.

Officer Noah Leotta was on a special assignment the night of December 3rd working the HHoliday Alcohol Task Force.

Leotta was conducting a traffic stop when a second car struck his patrol car and then hit him.

He died seven days later.

Leotta's father Richard, with his son's badge wrapped around his neck, says his Noah was proud to be a police officer.

47-year-old Luis Reluzco has now been indicted on charges of man slaughter and failing to slow for an emergency vehicle. Authorities say Reluzco had three prior drunk driving arrests.

Officer Leotta's family is now fighting to pass an ignition interlock bill.

"I don't care if it's one drop over. You're drunk, you're over the limit, you're drunk, you don't drive drunk," said Richard Leotta. "My son is dead because of that."

Officer Leotta was 24-years-old and had been on the force for almost three years.

Reluzco is facing a maximum of 10 years behind bars if convicted, but the Montgomery County Police Chief says that's far to lenient.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for February 19. 2016.

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